A firefighter, Terence Crosbie, aged 39, was recently found guilty of raping a 29-year-old woman during St Patrick’s Day celebrations in March 2024 after a five-day trial at Suffolk Superior Court in Boston. The Irishman could face a maximum of 20 years in prison when he is sentenced today.
Prior to his conviction, it was revealed that Crosbie, using the now-deleted alias “DubKid86,” made a disturbing comment on Twitter about Stockholm being the “most unreported rape capital of Europe” and worth a visit. Despite efforts by prosecutors to present this tweet as evidence, it was ultimately deemed inadmissible, and the jury did not hear about it.
The prosecution argued that the tweet could shed light on the defendant’s motive and intent. However, the court ruled that the tweet, posted seven years before the incident, was not directly related to the case at hand, as it referred to Amsterdam, not Boston or the United States.
Further revelations from Crosbie’s online presence displayed troubling behavior leading up to his arrest. His tweets showcased a concerning mindset, including references to violence and misogyny.
Crosbie’s trial involved testimonies from both the victim and himself. The victim recounted meeting Crosbie’s hotel roommate, Liam O’Brien, at a pub before the assault took place. She described waking up to find another man, not O’Brien, raping her and immediately reported the incident to the hospital.
Despite Crosbie’s denial of the allegations and the absence of his DNA on the victim’s body, prosecutors presented evidence from video surveillance and witness testimonies to support the victim’s account. They emphasized that Crosbie’s actions were deliberate and harmful, urging the jury to consider the facts presented during the trial.
After more than 15 hours of deliberation, the jury in Boston found Crosbie guilty of rape, leading to his arrest before he could leave the country. This decision came after a mistrial in a previous trial due to a deadlock among jurors. The case highlighted the importance of thorough investigation and the pursuit of justice in cases of sexual assault.
