DA: NYC roof rape suspect's earlier case stalled

(AP) — Prosecutors said Tuesday they dropped a rape charge last month against a man now accused of another rape on the same Manhattan rooftop because the earlier sex case stalled after about two months of investigation.

"Given all the facts and circumstances as that investigation revealed them to be, we determined that we could not go forward with the sex crimes charges" in the earlier case against Taurean Williams, Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Scott Leet told a judge as Williams was arraigned in the new case.

Leet wouldn't elaborate, but Williams' lawyer, D. Andrew Marshall, said a teenage accuser changed her account in the earlier case.

Initially accused of forcing the 17-year-old to have sex with him Oct. 12 by threatening to kill her mother if the girl didn't comply, Williams pleaded guilty Dec. 14 only to possessing her stolen iPod.

He was free on $25,000 bond, awaiting a Jan. 25 sentencing, when he was arrested Sunday on charges of raping and robbing a 45-year-old woman on the same upper Manhattan roof. Police said Williams falsely claimed to be a detective when he accosted her Friday, flashing a fake badge and two handguns and telling her there were warrants for her arrest.

After raping her, Williams stole $25 and the woman's cell phone, according to a court complaint. He had the phone when arrested, the complaint said.

Williams, who was being held without bail, denies the charges, his lawyer said. Williams, 25, is due in court Friday.

He has a history of trespass and marijuana-possession arrests and is unemployed, his lawyer said.