US jury convicts Crosbie of hotel crime

AN Irish firefighter was found guilty of rape by a jury in the US yesterday.

- BY ALANA LOFTUS In Boston

Terence Crosbie, 39, had denied he attacked a 29-year-old woman following St Patrick's Day celebrations in Boston in March last year.

The verdict came after more than 15 hours of jury deliberations. When he is sentenced on October 30, he could face a 20-year term.

As the verdict was read, Crosbie's family and friends cried out and threw their heads into their hands.

His first trial last June ended in a mistrial after the jury deadlocked following more than four days of deliberations.

The victim and Crosbie had testified at the five-day trial at Suffolk Superior Court.

The court heard Crosbie was removed from an Aer Lingus flight and arrested just hours after being interviewed by Boston Police.