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Rape Suspect Acting As Own Attorney Gives Closing Arguments

Monday, October 23, 2006 – updated: 12:57 pm EDT October 23, 2006

An accused Brevard County rapist, who has been acting as his own attorney, gave his own closing arguments Monday. Carlos Rhynes is currently on trial for four of the ten rapes he's charged with.

During his closing argument, Rhynes said he is innocent because none of the victims could positively identify him and that investigators falsified evidence. He's representing himself on two of the rape counts and has a defense attorney representing him on the other two counts.

If convicted, Rhynes could face life in prison.

During the trial, Rhynes faced his accusers, but he was very limited in the questions he could ask them on the stand.

The state gave its closing first Monday morning. The prosecutor argued Rhynes went to each one of his four victims’ homes, put fear in them and battered them.

Rhynes had planned to take the stand himself, but then chose not to at the last minute.

Even if Rhynes is acquitted in all four of the cases, he still faces six more rape cases in Orange County.

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