A former Summit Preparatory High School student accused of attempting to rape his teacher at knifepoint is scheduled to go to trial next month.
This is the fifth time the case has been rescheduled, according to public records.
On January 23, 2012 David A. Velasquez, 19, was on the verge of graduating, when a series of decisions changed the course of his life.
Velasquez was reportedly in the bushes near the parking lot of Summit Preparatory Charter High School, according to San Mateo County District Attorney’s records. One of his female teachers was on her way to her vehicle in the school’s parking lot. She did not make it there.
Velasquez is accused of grabbing her from behind, pressing a knife to her side, and ordering her to walk to her car, according to public records. He is also accused of threatening to kill her if she did not comply with his demands. She recognized his voice and dropped her keys to try to stall him, according to DA’s records. He subsequently pushed her to the ground and attempted to rape her, according to public records.
Another teacher saw this happen and started screaming at him, which inspired him to get up and run away.
Although he said that there are two sides to the story, Velasquez’ attorney C. Zadik Shapiro declined to answer questions about what transpired that day, except to say that his client was not in the bushes. “He was in the garage at school,” Shapiro told Patch on Monday.
Velasquez is charged attempted rape, assault with intent to rape, unlawful violation of a person's personal liberty, and threatening to commit a crime that would injure and possibly kill. The gravity of these charges triggered sentence enhancements, which could result in him being sentenced to one year to a life in state prison with the possibility of parole, if convicted.
He is behind bars on $1,000,000 bail.
Shapiro said Velasquez, who is now 21, obtained his GED while waiting for his day in court. He is scheduled to go to trial on July 29, 2013.
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