Man Denies Raping SUNY Albany Student In Her Dorm Room

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — An upstate New York man has denied allegations that he broke into a SUNY Albany student's dorm room this past fall and raped her while she was sleeping.

Twenty-five-year-old Franklin Casatelli pleaded not guilty to felony rape, felony burglary, two counts of attempted burglary and criminal trespassing charges on Wednesday in Albany County Court.

Prosecutors say Casatelli broke into the 19-year-old victim's room at Stuyvesant Tower during the early morning hours of Oct. 23.

Police say the victim told officers she woke up to Casatelli sexually assaulting her in her bed.

Casatelli's attorney says a defense investigation uncovered evidence that will exonerate his client of the "very salacious ... grossly overcharged crimes."

The Guilderland man faces up to 25 years behind bars if he's convicted.

[STORY BY: THE ASSOCIATED PRESS]