Woman Raped at Denver Airport Joining Convent
A woman sexually assaulted near a deserted concourse at the Denver International Airport in April was on her way to a convent in Chicago, it was revealed Thursday in court.
Noel Bertrand, 26, is accused of beating and sexually assaulting the woman after midnight on April 12 at the airport.
A Denver judge ruled in a preliminary hearing Thursday that there was sufficient evidence for the case to go to trial.
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It was revealed for the first time during the hearing that the woman had been on her way to join a convent in Illinois on the night of the attack.
After missing her flight, the woman went to a bar where she met Bertrand, a former Marine from Portland, according to media reports. They discussed morals and religion and that she had plans to become a nun, according to testimony given at the hearing.
When the bar closed at 11 p.m., the pair left together. An hour later, Bertrand and the woman sat down near one of the unattended gates, Detective Edward David testified.
Officials have surveillance video from inside Denver International Airport showing the two walking to the gate. The alleged attack, however, was not caught on tape.
The alleged assault took place at a nearly-abandoned gate, and the woman claims Bertrand asked her for a kiss and that she turned him down, according to David.
The suspect allegedly grabbed her head and forced her to kiss him.
David said the woman resisted the entire time.
As the assault intensified, according to the detective's testimony, the woman began to pray the Hail Mary.
Two airport employees noticed the attack and intervened after calling the authorities.
Bertrand, charged with sexual assault and kidnapping, says the sex was consensual. His arraignment was set for August 8.
