The trial of a man accused of sexually assaulting three women along San Francisco’s 24th Street corridor began this morning with a prosecutor showing graphic photos of victims and video footage of the suspect admitting to the crimes.
Frederick Dozier faces 26 charges for the violent 2011 attacks, which occurred on June 17 at 1337 S. Van Ness Ave.; on Nov. 18 at 1260 Potrero Ave.; and on Dec. 8 at 280 Fair Oaks St.
“The defendant targeted three petite women walking alone in the darkness before dawn,” Assistant District Attorney Marshall Khine said in his opening statement today.
Khine told the jury of five women and seven men that in each case, Dozier attacked the victim from behind, pulling her to a secluded area where he sexually assaulted and robbed her.
Dozier, 32, was arrested on Jan. 6 after investigators matched his DNA to evidence from the crime scenes. During taped interviews with police inspectors that day, Dozier allegedly admitted to attacking and robbing the women.
In the video shown in court this morning by Khine, Dozier says of the first victim, “She was like, ‘Just let me go, I’ll do whatever you want.'”
The prosecutor also showed graphic photos of two of the victims taken after the attacks.
One photo showed a victim whose blood vessels in her eyes had burst when she was choked, and the second showed a victim whose nose was split open so wide that cartilage was visible.
The evidence “should leave you with no doubt” of Dozier’s guilt, Khine told jurors.
Deputy Public Defender Greg Goldman said there is not enough evidence to prove his client’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
“With each incident, there’s less evidence to connect Mr. Dozier,” Goldman said.
He said Dozier’s girlfriend will testify in the trial, and that her testimony will paint a picture of someone “whose character is far different from someone who would commit these acts.”
The victim in the June 2011 attack was the first witness to testify at the trial.
The woman, whose name is being withheld to protect her privacy, said she was in shock when she was attacked from behind while walking home from a friend’s house in the early morning hours.
“He said I wasn’t going to go home until he has his way with me,” she said of her attacker.
Dozier was employed as a part-time nutrition services worker with San Francisco Unified School District and also worked for Green Streets, a janitorial services company that operates at low-income housing complexes.
The charges against him include attempted murder, kidnapping, robbery, attempted rape, forcible oral copulation and other sexual assault charges.
Dozier faces life in prison if convicted of all counts.
District Attorney George Gascon released a statement today about the case.
“Today we are one step closer in keeping this violent predator behind bars for the rest of his life,” Gascon said. “We are pleased this case is now in trial less than a year after the defendant was arrested. The DA’s Office is utilizing every resource possible to ensure the community’s safety.”
Dan McMenamin, Bay City News
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