Nicholas Rossi Cleared of Historic Rape Allegation in Essex | UK News
An American fugitive who supposedly faked his own death will not face any further action after being apprehended by authorities investigating a rape accusation in England.
Nicholas Rossi, who was extradited from Scotland to Utah in January, had been questioned by Essex detectives looking into an alleged incident in Chelmsford in 2017.
The 36-year-old was the subject of an international manhunt, with US authorities accusing him of sexually assaulting a woman in 2008, staging his own memorial service years later, and escaping to the UK.
Essex detectives were informed about the historic serious sexual assault allegation in Chelmsford two years ago.
Rossi was then taken into custody, interrogated by officers, and released on bail pending further investigations.
Sky News has now been informed that prosecutors in England have concluded that there is “no realistic prospect of a conviction.”
A spokesman for Essex Police stated: “As part of our investigation, we maintained regular communication with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and its specialized international liaison team.
“Upon completion of our investigation, our findings were submitted to the CPS. We received communication from the CPS indicating a decision not to pursue further action due to the lack of a realistic prospect of a conviction.
“Throughout this phase of the investigation, we have worked diligently to build the strongest possible legal case and have kept in constant communication with the victim.”
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From January: Rape suspect extradited to the US
Rossi was initially arrested after being recognized while sick with COVID and admitted to a Glasgow hospital in December 2021.
A year later, Edinburgh Sheriff Court confirmed that his tattoos and fingerprints matched those of Rossi, as indicated in an Interpol wanted notice.
He maintains that his name is Arthur Knight and that the entire ordeal is a case of mistaken identity.
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The legal proceedings transpired over several years in Scotland, with Rossi dismissing his legal representation and representing himself while appearing in court in a wheelchair and oxygen mask.
A judge described him as “as dishonest and deceitful as he is evasive and manipulative” when his extradition to the US was authorized last year.
Rossi was later flown to Utah in January of this year after his appeal was rejected.
