NORTHAMPTON – The trial of a former Easthampton man accused of raping and assaulting two girls is set to begin this week in Hampshire Superior Court .
Kevin Dirocco pleaded not guilty in October 2015 to charges of aggravated rape and abuse of a child, two counts rape and abuse of a child and eight counts of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14.
According to court documents, Dirocco, who now lives in Springfield, is accused of sexually assaulting two girls he knew in Easthampton between 1998 and 2009. The assaults took place when the alleged victims were between 3 or 4 years old and ended when they were 13 or 14, according to court documents.
The Gazette generally does not identify alleged victims of sexual assault.
Jury selection began Monday morning as more than 50 men and women filed into the second floor courtroom to be questioned by Judge John Agostini, Assistant Northwestern District Attorney Caleb Weiner, and defense attorneys Rachel Weber and Jennifer Rosenthal.
Opening statements are expected Wednesday morning followed by a full day of trial, Agostini told the potential jurors. Closing arguments are expected by Monday at the latest, he said.
“In reviewing the file and talking with the attorneys, I do not anticipate that we will have anything but a smooth trial,” Agostini said.
As Agostini read and briefly described the allegations, one juror appeared to cry as she took a tissue out of her purse. Dirocco, wearing faded blue jeans and a black dress shirt and tie, shook his head during the reading.
A total of 25 people raised their hands when asked by Agostini if the nature of allegations affected their ability to try the case fairly and impartially.
Dirocco posted bail in October 2015 and at the time was ordered to wear a GPS monitoring device, stay away from the alleged victims and witnesses, give up his firearms, and have no contact with anyone under 18.
Emily Cutts can be reached at ecutts@gazettenet.com.