Curtis Thompson found guilty of '04 rape of Eastlake woman

A jury found Curtis Thompson guilty today of raping an Eastlake woman in 2004 during a crime spree.

In the second of three trials, Thompson was convicted of one count of first-degree rape, one count of burglary and one count of vehicle theft. Investigators say Thompson, 43, broke into the woman's apartment on Aug. 17, 2004, and raped her, then poured and rubbed bleach into her body to destroy any DNA evidence.

Convicted of four rapes in 1985, Thompson was freed by jury in 2003 after an 18-year prison sentence although prosecutors wanted him sent to a secure-treatment center for sexual offenders. He now faces life in prison.

Thompson did not appear in court for the verdict.

Thompson, who has been transferred between the courtroom and jail strapped to a restraint chair, has been belligerent throughout the rape trial.

During the prosecution's closing statement Thursday, he had to be removed from court because of outbursts directed at his attorney. He refused to come back to the courtroom for the rest of the trial.

He lunged at his own attorney during a recess, shouting, "You scared to death, ain't you punk?"

Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Scott O'Toole said DNA from the victim's body matched Thompson's. Blood from a broken light bulb and fingerprints on a lamp and window screen also matched his, they said. Other women Thompson was convicted of raping in 1985 also testified on behalf of the prosecution, who hoped the details of the rape were similar enough to prove a pattern.

Defense attorney John Hicks said in his closing statement that the physical description of the rapist did not match Thompson and an unidentified set of fingerprints were found in the victim's car, in which the rapist drove away.

Also, Hicks said, the police did not find any evidence of injuries to Thompson even though the woman said she had struck her assailant with a lamp.

Thompson took the stand in his own defense on Wednesday, saying government and society had oppressed him after he was released from prison, making it difficult for him to find work and a place to live.

In October, Thompson was found guilty of assaulting two women near the University of Washington a week after the Eastlake rape. In that incident, Thompson cornered two women in an apartment elevator, robbed one of her engagement ring and forced the other to remove her top.

Thompson is scheduled to face his third trial on March 2 in connection with the murder of Deborah S. Byars, 45, who police believe was stabbed to death with a screwdriver in her apartment on 40th Avenue Northeast. Her body was found on Aug. 26, three days after the two women were assaulted near the UW.