FEAR AFTER CONVICTION REVERSAL (Mom of girl in 2005 rape case says world ‘came crashing down’ when court ruled man accused would go free)

Newsday/Alfonso A. Castillo

Clay Bennett was found guilty in a 2005 nonjury trial of raping his ex-girlfriend'sdaughter, 7 at the time of the alleged crime.  He was sentenced to 20 years, but a stateappellate court last week dismissed his indictment, finding that prosecutors had not proved hisguilty beyond a reasonable doubt.  The mother of the girl said yesterday that she is scared ofwhat might happen once Bennett is released after serving nearly three years in prison for the rapeof her daughter.  Unless prosecutors successfully appeal the decision, Bennett cannot face newcharges.
(New York)