Share this @internewscast.com

SALT LAKE CITY — A man accused of faking his death and fleeing the U.S. to avoid rape charges in Utah denied at a court appearance Tuesday that he is the suspect and, in an apparent British accent, called allegations that he wasn’t giving his true name “complete hearsay.”

Nicholas Rossi, whose legal name is Nicholas Alahverdian, is charged with the rape of a 21-year-old woman in Orem, Utah, in 2008, prosecutors said. He wasn’t identified as a suspect until about a decade later due to a backlog of DNA test kits at the Utah State Crime Lab.

Rossi, 36, was extradited from Scotland earlier this month. He identified himself Tuesday as Arthur Knight Brown and gave a birthdate in British English — listing the day first, followed by the month and year — that is different from Rossi’s, KSTU-TV reported.

He appeared from jail via video wearing an oxygen mask and did not enter a plea at the initial court appearance. He was difficult to understand at times and had to lift up the mask to be heard.

Deputy Salt Lake County attorney Tamara Basuez said Rossi has not admitted his name or birthdate since he returned to Utah.

“Objection, my lady, that is complete hearsay,” Rossi told the judge.

Rossi is jailed without the possibility of posting bail in the Orem case. The judge set a detention hearing for Jan. 26.

The judge said a lawyer would be appointed for Rossi. He said he has one, but that the attorney did not receive notice of Tuesday’s hearing.

Rossi, who grew up in foster homes in Rhode Island, made a name for himself there as a vocal critic of the state’s Department of Children, Youth and Families.

Four years ago, he told media in Rhode Island that he had late-stage non-Hodgkin lymphoma and had weeks to live. An obituary published online claimed he died Feb. 29, 2020.

He used at least 10 different aliases over the years, prosecutors said.

Authorities said his run from the law ended when he was arrested in December 2021 after being recognized by someone at a Glasgow, Scotland, hospital while he was being treated for Covid-19. He insisted he was an Irish orphan named Arthur Knight and had never set foot on American soil.

The man had said he was framed by authorities who took his fingerprints while he was in a coma so they could connect him to Rossi. He has repeatedly appeared in court in a wheelchair, using an oxygen mask and speaking with the apparent British accent.

After a protracted court battle, Judge Norman McFadyen of Edinburgh Sheriff Court ruled in August that the extradition could move forward. The judge called Rossi “as dishonest and deceitful as he is evasive and manipulative.”

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Why Syria plays a key role in Trump’s plans for Middle East peace

How Syria Influences Trump’s Middle East Peace Strategy

Earlier in the week, President Donald Trump issued an executive order that…
A rescue boat with several people aboard.

Heroic Dad’s Daring Disney Cruise Rescue: Daughter’s Savior Identified as Glamorous Doctor

THE truth about the hero dad who leapt off a Disney cruise…
Mets reach deal with reliever Zach Pop to boost bullpen depth

Mets sign reliever Zach Pop to strengthen bullpen depth

The Mets added some bullpen depth through free agency. Veteran pitcher Zach…
Fruit salad with blueberries, kiwi, banana, and strawberries.

The FDA Issues Urgent Recall on Tainted Fruit Due to Severe Health Risks, Including Miscarriage and Death

HUNDREDS of boxes of a popular fruit are being recalled after it’s…
The US labor market continues to surprise and the unemployment rate, against the odds, is falling

US Labor Market Defies Expectations as Unemployment Rate Declines

In June, U.S. employers increased their workforce by 147,000 jobs as the…
Just in Time for July 4th. Guess Who’s Back at Disney’s Presidents' Hall Sporting a New Look?

Perfect Timing for July 4th: Guess Who’s Making a Return to Disney’s Presidents’ Hall With a Fresh Appearance?

Returning to his rightful place after several years, Trump’s animatronic is again…
At least 2 dead, 43 missing after ferry sinks near Bali

Tragic Ferry Sinking Near Bali: 2 Dead, 43 Missing

On Thursday, rescuers were searching for 43 individuals reported missing after a…
Good Samaritan rescues 9-year-old kidnapped along Jacksonville road, police say

Police Report: Kind Stranger Saves 9-Year-Old Kidnapped on Jacksonville Road

Authorities reported that 22-year-old Mikaya Williams forced the child into her car…
Tax cuts explained: What's in Trump's Big, Beautiful Bill that passed Congress and will soon become law

Understanding Trump’s Tax Cuts: Key Features of the Newly Passed Bill

Republicans successfully pushed President Donald Trump’s tax and spending cut bill through…
Explosion near a city building at night.

Russia Launches Major Missile Assault on Kyiv While Trump’s Call with Putin Yields No Results

A series of Russian drone strikes hit Ukraine overnight, shortly after a…
Gunslinging rabbi hunts neo-Nazis in movie 'Guns & Moses'

Rabbi with a Gun Takes on Neo-Nazis in the Film ‘Guns & Moses’

These Hollywood Jews take “movie shoot” to a whole new level.  “Guns…
$20M worth of cocaine, marijuana intercepted by Coast Guard

Coast Guard Seizes $20 Million in Cocaine and Marijuana

The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) says they have intercepted over $20 million…