San Jose Rape Case Complicated By Bribe Allegations

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) - A Northern California rape case took a bizarre turn when a woman was arrested in the middle of the trial on suspicion of flying to Detroit and offering the victim $30,000 not to testify.

The San Jose Mercury News reports  the woman who offered the alleged bribe won't be charged until after Geoffrey Chambers' rape trial in San Jose.

But the judge decided jurors should be told that the witness declined the alleged bribe and that there's no evidence that anyone in the trial was involved.

Chambers, now 53, is accused of raping a 19-year-old female relative.

The defense has argued that the woman made up the story because she was embarrassed about the encounter.

Prosecutors hope the fact that the alleged victim refused the $30,000 could help persuade jurors that her account is credible.