A San Diego man accused of accosting a young woman near the Westfield UTC mall and trying to rape her must stand trial on felony charges, a judge ruled Wednesday.
Adam Espinoza Moore, 22, faces a half-dozen counts, including attempted rape and sexual battery, stemming from the Aug. 30 incident in the 4300 block of La Jolla Village Drive.
A 21-year-old woman was leaving the mall shortly before 8:30 p.m. when Moore alleged grabbed her from behind, covered her mouth and dragged her into a patch of shrubbery.
The woman bit his hand and screamed, drawing the attention of a passer-by, San Diego police Lt. Sandra Rapalee-Albrektsen said. The witness rushed over, at which point the assailant ran off.
Moore was arrested in November.
Judge Laura Alksne ruled that enough evidence was presented at the defendant’s preliminary hearing for him to proceed to trial. A Superior Court arraignment was set for March 18.
— City News Service