According to U.S. prosecutors, fingerprints connected a man from Scotland to an American suspect in rape who allegedly faked his death to avoid justice.
According to Utah County Attorney David O. Leavitt, the man appeared in a Glasgow courtroom and identified himself as Arthur Knight, 34 years old. According to Leavitt, Scottish prosecutors claimed that prints proved that he is the American wanted in Utah for rape.
Knight was present at the Scottish court to discuss a matter that had nothing to do with the Utah allegations. Knight was arrested Tuesday for allegedly creating a disturbance at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow.
The fingerprints were cited by Scottish prosecutors in opposition to bail. They argued Knight was a flight risk.
Sky News reports that Nicholas Rossi was confirmed by finger prints taken at his arrest for the matter.
Knight’s U.S. extradition matter is ongoing.
Leavitt stated that “We knew we had a right person” and that they look forward to proving their case against the individual.
The suspect arrived in court using an oxygen tank and a wheelchair. Clark said that the Crown had received numerous medical reports from his doctors, which stated there was no concern about his lungs.
Clark said, “The description given by witnesses to seizures was satisfied that they were faked.”
Knight’s U.K. attorney was not available for comment Friday.
Leavitt’s office is asking Rossi to be tried for a 2008 rape in Orem (Utah). Officials said that he is also being sought for an alleged attack on a woman in Ohio.
Various news outlets reported in 2020 that Rossi died from non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Rossi “fled to the country to avoid prosecution” as well as “attempted to lead investigators, state legislators and other states to believe he is deceased,” Utah prosecutors stated in a January statement.
