The suspect who attacked a woman on a Balboa Park trail – and was accused of attempting to sexually assault her – has pleaded guilty to attempted robbery.
Ameen Bryant, 22, originally went to trial last month on a charge of assault with intent to commit rape, but the judge declared a mistrial when the jury became deadlocked 8-4.
Bryant has a previous conviction for robbery from 2012 and is currently on parole. Because of that offense, he faces up to 11 years in prison at his Oct. 2 sentencing.
Prosecutors added the attempted robbery charge when Bryant told the court he grabbed the woman to steal her phone, not rape her.
The District Attorney’s Office said it would have been hard to retry the case because it is difficult to prove a defendant’s intent.
Instead, the prosecutors and defense attorneys worked out a plea deal in which Bryant admits to trying to rob her.
The charges stem from an incident on Jan.14, when Bryant attacked the victim walking along Bridle Trail in broad daylight.
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The woman told the court he put his hands on her and forced her to the ground. She believed he intended to sexually assault her.
Taking the stand in his own defense, Bryant told the jury he only grabbed her because she tried to fight back. Otherwise, it would have never happened, he said.
When the woman screamed rape, the defendant panicked and tried to stuff dirt in her face, according to the defense.
Two strangers walking on the path then came upon the scene, so Bryant bolted.
As she was cross-examined, the victim admitted Bryant never said he wanted to rape her, and he never touched private areas of her body.
