A man accused of breaking into a woman’s hotel room with the intent to sexually assault her was declared competent to stand trial Monday in Redwood City.
Maurice Banks, 47, is charged with breaking into the room that a 32-year old woman rented at The Garden Motel and committing multiple violent acts on her.
On December 3, 2010, public records of the incident say that the woman had rented a room at the motel to have a quiet place to study for final exams. On her way back to her hotel room, Banks, who was renting the room next to hers, tried to talk to her; she ignored him. They did not know each other, said San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe. At about 4:30 the next morning, she heard sounds of someone breaking into the rear window of the room and tried to run out the front door. She did not make it to the front door.
Banks is accused of breaking into her room, grabbing her from behind, throwing her on the bed, punching her in the face multiple times, and strangling her into unconsciousness. The victim told law enforcement officials that when she woke up, her pants were around her knees and Banks was standing on top of her, demanding oral sex.
She eventually escaped and reported the crime.
The District Attorney’s records indicate that surgery was necessary to repair sinus fractures.
Banks’s defense attorneys Michael DeVoy and Jeff Hayden argued in court on January 12, 2013 that Banks was not competent to stand trial. He was declared to be competent to stand trial and, after six settings of the trial date, is expected to have a new jury trial date set when he enters the courtroom on June 5, 2013.
Banks is charged with assault with intent to commit rape while in the process of a burglary, residential burglary, committing a felony assault, attempting to force oral copulation, threatening a witness to prevent her from testifying, and a felony indecent exposure.
If convicted, Banks faces life in prison with the option of parole in 13 years.
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