Jury finds UA-area serial rapist guilty on 27 counts; sentencing scheduled for late Nov.

James Allen Selby was found guilty yesterday on 27 of the 34 counts against him, including attempted first-degree murder, sexual assault and kidnapping.

Selby, 37, stood trial for attacking and raping five women and a 13-year-old girl in Tucson between October 2001 and May 2002. Four of the attacks took place in the UA area, and one of the victims was a UA student.

The 27 counts on which Selby was found guilty include attempted first-degree murder, seven counts of sexual assault, burglary, aggravated assault, kidnapping, auto theft and credit card theft.

Selby was found not guilty on two counts of kidnapping, two counts of aggravated assault, one count of attempted robbery, one count of armed robbery and one count of burglary.

After beginning deliberations late Wednesday, jurors reached their verdict yesterday afternoon at Pima County Superior Court.

After the trial, victims spoke to reporters at a news conference.

One victim said she hopes Selby's trial will encourage other victims of sexual assault to come forward.

Another victim said because she has been so outspoken about this case, other victims of sexual assault have approached her and told her they wished they had the courage to come forward like she did.

Selby will be sentenced Nov. 22.

Dave Ricker, public information officer for Pima County Superior Court, said Selby could face up to 200 years in prison.

For the attempted first-degree murder charge alone, Selby could receive 25 years to life in prison, Ricker said.

During the sentencing, a judge will consider additional factors that could affect Selby's punishment as Selby waived his right to have the jury consider them.

Selby was recently sentenced to 20 years in prison in Colorado Springs, Colo., for raping a 56-year-old woman. Selby is also wanted in Oklahoma, Nevada, and San Diego for a series of assaults, which were traced to him through DNA samples.