Rivera’s Trial Delayed Again

Mark Rivera’s bench trial was postponed again on September 2 when the defense did not conclude their case. It will resume on September 29, over twelve weeks after the trial began on July 12. 

Rivera was first arrested in 2019 and charged with 9 felony counts, including predatory criminal sexual assault of a child under 13 and aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a victim under 13. Since then, over a dozen survivors have come forward with accounts of abuse by Rivera, with allegations including rape, assault, child sexual abuse, indecent exposure, and grooming. Rivera has also been charged with 2 counts of rape of another victim, and that case is pending.

Rivera’s trial was initially planned for December 2020, but numerous postponements and delay tactics have extended this traumatizing wait for nearly two years. Cherin and her family have repeatedly burned vacation time, scheduled childcare, and postponed plans only to have the trial canceled at the last minute. 

For nearly two years, this young girl has repeatedly steeled herself to face her abuser in court, only to have the trial delayed again every time. Worse, Cherin and her husband have been unable to freely support their daughter, as they have been prohibited from discussing any details of her abuse or testimony with her since the criminal investigation began in May of 2019. Because of the extended delays, Cherin’s daughter has been forced to navigate the particulars of her trauma on her own for over three years.

Cherin and her daughter are deeply grateful for all of the messages of encouragement that they have received and for the many supporters who came in person for the first two days of the trial. If you would like to attend in person on September 29, please sit on the right side of the courtroom to indicate your support of the victims. You may continue to send messages of support to info@acnatoo.org.