Opening statement in the trial of a man accused of multiple rapes

ALBUQUERQUE, NM (KRQE) – Opening statements were heard Tuesday in the trial of Edward Duran, who is accused of multiple rape cases dating back to the 1990s. Duran is charged with 15 counts of first-degree sexual battery in connection with rape cases from 1990 to 1997.

The story continues below

“I was fast asleep and the first thing I noticed was a hand over my mouth,” said one of the six women accused of raping Duran and whom the state referred to in its opening arguments.

“He threatened her, he threatened her children. He slapped her in the face. “He was a stranger to her,” said prosecutor Lisa Trabaudo. The victim, who was not shown or identified, was at home in a first-floor apartment in northeast Albuquerque on October 6, 1992.

Early in the morning, a masked man broke in. “I heard your husband should learn to lock the front door,” the victim said. “…and I knew what would happen.”

The victim told the court she was worried about contracting AIDS and told the man they had condoms. “That’s when his left hand came up and hit me in the side of the face and that’s when I saw the knife and that’s when he told me to be quiet and he would cut the kids,” the victim said.

Three of her five children slept in a room across from the master bedroom where she said the rape took place. Afterwards, the masked man forced her to take a shower and then left. The victim was taken to the hospital and evidence was collected.

Her rape kit was part of numerous kits that remained untested for decades. When they were finally processed, they led police to Edward Duran.

He is accused of 15 counts of first-degree sexual assault in connection with the rape of six women between 1990 and 1997. The trial is scheduled to last until next Friday.

For the latest news, weather, sports and streaming videos, visit KRQE NEWS 13 – Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather and Video.