Watch CBS News

Ex-OC Hospital Worker Acquitted Of Sexually Assaulting Patient

SANTA ANA (AP) — An Orange County jury has acquitted a former hospital worker of charges that he drugged and sexually assaulted a woman in her hospital bed.

City News Service says 30-year-old Francisco Ayala Jr. was found not guilty Monday. He could have faced up to 24 years in prison if convicted.

Ayala wept as the verdict was announced.

Prosecutors contended that Ayala sexually assaulted a woman he was assigned to watch at St. Joseph Hospital in Orange in 2011.

His attorney, John Mardoyan, argued that Ayala had consensual oral sex.

(© Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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.