Second Mistrial Declared in Rochester Sex Assault Case

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - Another mistrial has been declared in the case of a Rochester man accused of sexually assaulting an intoxicated woman three years ago.

Mistrial Declared in Rochester Sexual Assault Case

Prior to Today's Mistrial Order, 30-year-old Manuel Sanchez Sosa Had Been on Trial This Week in Olmsted County Court on Charges of First-and 3rd-Degree Criminal Sexual conduct. The felony counts allege that he sexually assaulted the victim at a southwest Rochester residence on February 25, 2023.

READ MORE: Rochester Man Accused Sexually Assaulting, Impregnating Intoxicated Woman

Olmsted County Attorney Michael Walters has confirmed that the mistrial was due to suspicions that the defense attorney in the case may have been intoxicated. In response to an inquiry from KROC News, the County Attorney stated that during the testimony of the last prosecution witness, the prosecuting attorneys became concerned that they smelled alcohol coming from the defense counsel.

According to Walters, the prosecuting attorneys felt ethically obligated to report their observation, "out of a sense of candor and respect for the rights of both the defendant and the alleged victim." After speaking with the judge during the lunch break, Walters says the judge directed the defense attorney to submit to a breath test, and after he refused, the judge found him in contempt and declared a mistrial.

Walters says, because all of the witnesses had already testified, the prosecution did not want a mistrial in the case and asked the court to consider adjourning for the weekend to consider other options.

Second Mistrial in Case

Sanchez-Sosa was also brought to trial on the charges in October 2024, but those proceedings also ended in a mistrial. It's unclear if or when a third trial will be held in the case.

Accused of Attacking A woman After Night of Drinking

According to the criminal complaint against Sanchez-Sosa, the victim told investigators that on two occasions she blacked out after spending the previous night consuming alcohol at an event and then at bars in downtown Rochester. She indicated that she woke up on the morning of February 25 to find Sanchez-Sosa raping her while she was unable to move.

Sanchez-Sosa Complaint. Olmsted County Court

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When he was interviewed by investigators, the court document says Sanchez-Sosa admitted that he had sex with the victim and indicated that they were both intoxicated. He also claimed that the victim had initiated the encounter.