An American Walter Mitty who fought extradition from the UK, will go on trial accused of rape after prosecutors in Utah withdrew their offer of a plea deal. Nicholas Rossi was sent back to the US last year following a lengthy court battle in which he claimed to be an Irish orphan named Arthur Knight who had never set foot in the States. He is accused of raping a 21-year-old woman in Orem in 2008 and raping a 26-year-old woman in Salt Lake County during the same year.
He denies all the charges. At a hearing in Provo in regards to the Orem case, fourth district judge Derek P Pullan asked: "My understanding is that there were ongoing settlement discussions. Have those been fruitful or do you need the trial date?". Defence attorney Daniel Diaz replied: "Your honour, they unfortunately haven't been fruitful." The prosecution confirmed the plea deal was withdrawn, with no further offers expected.
Judge Pullan asked: "We are trying the case, correct?" Stephen Jones, deputy Utah County attorney, replied: "That is correct, your honour. The state withdrew any plea offer with the understanding it will not be offered again.". Rossi, who appeared via prison videolink, is now scheduled to go on trial for the Salt Lake County case in April and the Orem case in September. The American, whose legal name is Nicholas Alahverdian, has used several aliases and has said he was an Irish orphan named Arthur Knight who had never set foot on US soil and was being framed.
The American fugitive grew up in foster homes in Rhode Island and had returned to the state before allegedly faking his death and fleeing the country. An obituary published online claimed Rossi died on February 29, 2020 of late-stage non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
