Judge Dismisses Attacker`s Plea

Prosecutors in Cape May County, New Jersey, have persuaded a judge to throw out the plea bargain of an admitted rapist.

James Smith was appealing his 40-year sentence for the attack on a teen-age boy and girl on the Ocean City boardwalk when prosecutors say he wrote a threatening letter to the girl.

As a result, the judge today vacated the plea agreement and scheduled a May trial.

Smith would face more than 200 years in prison if convicted of kidnapping, aggravated sexual, terroristic threats and witness-tampering.

Smith denies writing the letter.

Prosecutors say Smith confronted the Perkasie, Pennsylvania, teens in 2000, forcing the girl to perform a sex act on the boy.

Prosecutors say he then raped the girl.

Author: 6 ABC-AP