Watch CBS News

Man Gets Prison For Attempted Rape, Robbery Of Malibu Jogger

VAN NUYS (CBS) — A man who attacked a woman who escaped by scrambling down a cliff at Point Dume State Park in Malibu was sentenced Thursday to 24 years in prison.

KNX 1070's Claudia Peschuttia reports.

Podcast

Christian Marcus Verdin, 31, of San Bernardino, pleaded no contest to assault with intent to commit a rape and second-degree robbery in connection with the March 12 attack on the 45-year-old jogger.

In exchange for Verdin's no contest plea, Van Nuys Superior Court Judge Michael Kellogg dismissed two other counts — assault with a deadly weapon and grand theft auto.

Investigators believe Verdin was carrying scissors when he approached the woman, who managed to break free and leaped over the side of a bluff to escape to the beach below.

Verdin was arrested April 2 by Los Angeles County sheriff's detectives after a DNA match identified him as the alleged assailant, according to the District Attorney's Office.

He was sentenced to a three-year prison term in 2002 after being convicted of petty theft with priors, officials said.

(©2010 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.