A man was convicted Wednesday of rape in a cold case from 2001 in San Francisco’s South of Market neighborhood, according to the district attorney’s office.
Delfino Balinton was convicted of rape, forced oral copulation, and other sexual assault charges related to a July 21, 2001 attack on a 16-year-old girl who was visiting from Montana when she was dragged into an alley and attacked, prosecutors said.
“It took tremendous courage for this victim to return to San Francisco and take the stand in this case,” District Attorney George Gascon said in a statement. “Her bravery is an inspiration to all victims and members of law enforcement.”
The jury found Balinton guilty of the majority of the charges on Tuesday and found him guilty on a remainder of the counts on Wednesday, according to the district attorney’s office.
The Police Department’s cold hit unit cracked the case.
Balinton is scheduled to be sentenced on May 13. He faces a prison term of more than 50 years to life, according to the district attorney’s office.
Dan McMenamin, Bay City News
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