An Elizabethtown man already on probation for indecent assaults of two women was recently convicted of raping a woman last year at his home.
A local jury convicted 24-year-old Justin M. Burke of eight offenses, including felony rape, following a four-day trial in Lancaster County Court.
Assistant District Attorney Amy Muller presented evidence that Burke lured the woman to his bedroom to show her his new puppy, then raped her.
ADA Muller said in closing argument that the woman believed Burke was a friend, only to find out “he was the worst type of enemy.”
The jury deliberated several hours before returning guilty verdicts on Nov. 5.
Lancaster County Judge Howard Knisely, who presided over the trial, will order sentence after a background investigation.
At the verdict, Judge Knisely set Burke’s bail at $2 million; Burke was taken out of the courtroom in handcuffs.
In February, Burke pleaded guilty to assaulting two women at a dorm party at Stevens College and sentenced to two years of probation and Megan’s Law registration requirements for 15 years.
Those two women testified at trial this week about what happened to them four years ago.
The rape happened on July 7, 2019, at Burke’s home in Elizabethtown, ADA Muller argued.
Elizabethtown Borough police Officer Matthew Shuey filed charges and testified.
In all, Burke was convicted of felony counts of rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, sexual assault (two counts) and aggravated indecent assault, and misdemeanor counts of indecent assault and aggravated indecent assault (two counts).
The jury returned a not guilty verdict on a felony count of aggravated indecent assault.
MEDIA CONTACT: Brett A. Hambright, 717-295-2041; bhambright@co.lancaster.pa.us; Twitter: @BrettHambright