BRENTWOOD, N.H. (AP) - A New Hampshire man accused of sexually assaulting five girls has decided to go to trial.
WMUR-TV reports that Rye resident Richard Racette was scheduled to plead guilty Thursday morning as part of a plea bargain under which he would have been released in eight years.
Racette said that he couldn’t talk now when reporters asked why he changed his mind. His trial’s set to start December.
Deputy Rockingham County Attorney Jennifer Haggar said it’s “discouraging” because the girls wanted to move on.
Prosecutors say Racette faces 41 charges concerning accusations of sexual assault in 2017 in Hampton Falls and Rye.
Haggar says the allegations involve alcohol and five different girls ranging from 10 to 16.
Racette could spend the rest of his life in prison if found guilty.
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