On Trial For Kidnapping And Rape, Jury Deciding RivCo Man's Fate

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Jurors will continue deliberating Tuesday in the trial against a 38-year-old man suspected of grabbing a woman off a Riverside street and sexually assaulting her in his pickup truck after she passed out.

Louis Edward Brown of Jurupa Valley is charged with one felony count each of rape of an unconscious victim and kidnapping to commit rape, according to court records.

Deputy District Attorney Veronica Mittino and Brown's defense attorney Paulette Norman delivered their closing arguments in the trial Monday at the Larson Justice Center in Indio before jurors began to deliberate.

He was arrested in August 26, 2021, following a weeks-long investigation by the Riverside Police Department.

Deputy District Attorney Veronica Mittino told jurors during opening statements at the Larson Justice Center in Indio that on July 31, 2021, the 54- year-old victim — identified in court documents by the initials "L.L." — was with her husband at ProAbition Lounge, which they frequented a few days each week.

Mittino said the couple was drinking and, since the staff at the location was familiar with them, had their drinks topped off with a "generous pour."

At some point, the victim and her husband got into an argument about the safety of their daughter who was in the military, Mittino said. In the heat of the argument, the victim excused herself and walked back to the car, which was parked in a different location than usual, Mittino said.

She allegedly started to feel the effects of the alcohol, couldn't find the car and decided to walk home in the direction her husband usually drives, thinking he would eventually find her along the way.

But as she approached Rubidoux Drive, she tripped and fell down, while the defendant, who was driving by in a gold Chevy Silverado, saw and turned his car around, Mittino said. The defendant allegedly got out, grabbed her and took her to his passenger door and put her in his car without saying a word as she told him that she didn't need help.

While in the car, she couldn't find a door handle and asked him to take her somewhere well-lit so her husband could find her, Mittino said. The defendant allegedly remained silent as he drove and the victim began to panic, the prosecutor said.

The woman said the next thing she remembered was being in the back of the truck feeling pressure in her stomach, with the defendant allegedly taking off his condom and throwing it away.

He allegedly said something about the area not being safe and took her somewhere else.

She attempted to remain calm and pay attention to road signs before the man pulled over at a gas station, Mittino said. As soon as he went inside, the alleged victim jumped from the backseat to the front and ran out while simultaneously looking back to see if the defendant saw her.

She ran, told two men what happened to her and as they made their way to the defendant's car, Brown pulled away and left the gas station, Mittino said. The woman was eventually picked up by her husband, who was still angry from their conversation.

After they got home, her husband noticed unusual behavior like her wanting to be with him every second and having a fear of transient people, Mittino said. He asked her about it at some point and she told him about what happened on the night in question.

They subsequently went to law enforcement and her clothes from that night were taken for DNA testing, which tied the defendant to her, Mittino said. The defendant was found about a month later in Los Angeles County, where he was detained.

While being questioned, the defendant allegedly admitted to seeing the victim walk down the street, but according to Mittino, the rest of his story doesn't make sense.

Norman then told jurors that she won't dispute any facts up until when her client picked the woman up.

When the victim fell, Brown pulled over, guided her to the backseat of his truck and helped her inside, Norman said, adding that the woman's recollection from that night doesn't make sense.

L.L. had her phone with her, exchanged messages with her husband, and waited about three days before telling him what happened, Norman said. When Brown got picked up about a month later and interviewed about what happened, he spoke about a conversation he had with the woman and mentioned he knew she had a husband, something he would have known only if there was some sort of conversation between them, she said.

Norman concluded her opening statement by telling jurors that it's a very serious case and all the evidence needs to be evaluated.

Brown is being held without bail at the Southwest Detention Center in Murrieta.