A woman beaten and raped in broad daylight in the parking lot of a Brentwood supermarket 11 years ago said she plans to question her attacker in court at his sentencing today.
“On Aug. 21, 2003, I was brutally beaten and raped in Brentwood,” Jane Piper said in a statement. “The rapist attempted to drive away holding me captive in my vehicle. But believing in my heart that he would kill me, I was able to jump out the window of the car as he sped off.”
The identities of rape victims are usually not released, but Piper has made her own name public.
Eight years later, Piper moved to Canada to make a fresh start. Within months of her arrival, she was notified that her rapist had been identified by cold case detectives using DNA testing.
“Suddenly I was pulled back into the ordeal again and began what has now been over two years of a different kind of trauma and healing,” Piper said.
The man identified as her attacker, 58-year-old Gilbert Lozano Trejo, ultimately pleaded guilty to one count each of rape and carjacking. Trejo is set for sentencing today.
Victims are typically allowed to make impact statements at sentencing.
As part of the negotiated plea deal, Piper will also be given the opportunity to question Trejo.
“Being able to question him is important to me and to my healing,” Piper said. “It will help me have some closure and put this experience of violence behind me. (Tuesday) I will face the rapist, telling him how his violent attack has shaped my life.”
Deputy District Attorney Amy Carter said Trejo is expected to be sentenced to 20 years in prison.
Piper said she hoped that by speaking out, she would encourage others to share their stories.
“Women are raped every single day, and yet we so very rarely hear from them,” Piper said. “I do not want to be silent.”
