Convict refuses questions about rapes

DRAPER — For a second time, the man police believe is the "Parkway Rapist" refused to answer questions from the state parole board about a series of rapes to which he has been linked by DNA.

Rudy Romero, 45, invoked the Fifth Amendment and demanded access to an attorney instead of answering questions from board hearing officer Curt Garner at the state prison Friday afternoon.

The hearing lasted just two minutes and 17 seconds and was ended abruptly by Garner when it became clear that Romero was not going to cooperate or respond to questioning. At an October revocation hearing, Romero behaved similarly, taking the Fifth and accusing the board of denying him due process by withholding information and denying him access to an attorney.

Romero had been slated for parole from the prison in July, after serving 10-plus years of a life sentence for robbery. In May, the board temporarily revoked that date after learning that DNA evidence tested at the state crime lab had linked Romero to five of 11 rape and abduction cases from the early 1990s.

Romero cannot be charged with the alleged crimes because the five-year statute of limitations for rape expired.

Revocation hearings are supposed to be an opportunity for the board to query an inmate about either new offenses or new information.

Romero, who is not entitled to legal representation when appearing before the board, has been supplied with copies of the documentation the board will use in making its decision, administrator John Green said. But his refusal to answer any questions means the board will make its decision without hearing from the accused.

"What will happen at this point is the board will look at the evidence and make a decision," Green said Friday. "They've already got jurisdiction over him and if the board now sees evidence that it did not take into account previously and feels justified that this evidence is substantial it will make a decision that is based upon public safety reasoning and in the interest of justice."

Garner said Friday he hopes that the board will reach a decision within one week.

It's not uncommon for the board to revoke parole or parole dates, Green said.

"If there is new evidence that is substantial, the board will modify its position," he said. "It always does."