Rapist cites new evidence; sentencing postponed

PALMER -- A man who already pleaded no contest to a rape charge is getting a chance to present what he calls new evidence in the case.

Micah J. Beshaw, 28, entered the plea in April in Palmer Superior Court to one count of first-degree sexual assault. The crime carries a presumptive eight-year prison term, which a parole board can't shorten.

Judge Beverly Cutler agreed to a sentencing postponement just before Beshaw's scheduled appearance.

"Out of an abundance of caution, Judge Cutler did the right thing to give the defendant the opportunity to look at everything," said defense attorney Verne Rupright.

Asked whether there's new evidence in the case, Rupright replied, "That's what he's asserting, and that's all I can say."

Beshaw originally faced nine felony charges -- including two counts of first-degree sexual assault and two kidnapping charges -- stemming from alleged attacks against two Valley women in September 2001. Eight of the charges were dropped in return for his no contest plea, which includes a four-year suspended sentence and 10-year probationary period after release.

The rape for which Beshaw pleaded no contest involved an incident that Alaska State Troopers said occurred just north of Palmer. According to charging documents, a woman was walking home from work at 10:30 p.m. when a masked man jumped from the woods, grabbed her and forced her into a vehicle where he raped her. The man then drove to another location where he raped the victim again, troopers said.

At the time of Beshaw's plea, Rupright told the Frontiersman the charges related to the second woman's allegations were unfounded.

"It was an absolutely illegitimate complaint," Rupright said. "She knew him. It didn't add up."

Meanwhile, the woman Beshaw pleaded no contest to attacking expressed disappointment last week that sentencing has been delayed. The case has lasted nearly two years, she said, and has taken a significant emotional toll.

The victim said she felt the criminal justice system showed a lack of concern about the case, a situation she believes causes many women to become too traumatized to fight for their legal rights. Those who are victims of violent crime must wade through paperwork involving several bureaucracies to take care of their families' health and financial well-being, she said.

The victim said she feels as though more consideration is given to criminals than victims.

"It seems like the system works for these people," she said. "It's an uphill battle. This is why victims give up or decide not to come forward to file a complaint in the first place."