A man accused of viciously beating and attempting to force oral copulation from a young local college student is appearing in court today in Redwood City.
Maurice Banks was 44 at the time he preyed on the young female college student, who had reportedly checked into a Redwood City motel room overnight to have a quiet place to study for her final exams, on Dec. 4, 2010.
The victim said that, at around 4:30 a.m., she heard scratching noises at the window at the rear of her motel room, as if an intruder were trying to break into her room.
She reportedly got out of bed to run from the room when a man came in through the window of her room, grabbed her from behind, and threw her onto the bed.
The victim reported that Banks then punched her repeatedly in the face and attempted to strangle her, causing her to lose consciousness.
When she came to, the man was standing in front of her with his pants down, and he demanded she perform oral sex on him.
The victim said she verbally agreed, but then, as the suspect turned his head for a brief moment, she was able to run from the room. She reported the incident to the police immediately.
Banks was arrested within a few hours, and the victim was able to confirm his identify to police.
The victim suffered fractures to her eye orbits and severe facial bruising. The San Mateo County District Attorney's Office reports she will need further surgeries to repair her sinus fractures.
Banks will be in court Monday morning, for jury assignment, and his trial will begin soon. The District Attorney estimates his trial could last around three weeks.
The District Attorney's Office reports they are pursuing life in prison for Banks.
Banks is currently in custody on $250,000 bail.
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