N.Y. lawmaker seeks stronger rape laws

A state lawmaker from Queens wants to strengthen the state's rape laws after a former NYPD police officer avoided a rape conviction in a gunpoint attack on a schoolteacher.

On Wednesday, a jury convicted ex-officer Michael Pena on charges, including predatory sexual assault, that could put him in prison for decades.

But the jury deadlocked on two counts of rape.

Pena's lawyer admitted there was an assault but said his client never penetrated the woman. Under state law, only intercourse is considered rape.

Assemb. Aravella Simotas (D-Astoria) said she plans to introduce a bill this week to broaden that definition.

The Daily News reported that Simotas' bill would add oral, anal and aggravated sexual assault to the list of rape offenses. -- AP