BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) -- After deliberating a couple hours, a Kern County jury on Wednesday reached a verdict in the trial of Sergio Venegas, a convicted rapist accused of attacking a woman on Ming Avenue in 2022.

17 News will live blog the reading of the verdict.

Venegas, 62, is accused of attacking and attempting to sexually assault a woman who was walking alone on the night of May 2, 2022. Prosecutors allege he grabbed and dragged her behind bushes then attempted to sexually assault her at knifepoint.

She escaped, and Venegas was arrested soon after. He was in possession of items belonging to the woman.

Venegas was released from prison in 2021 after serving three decades for raping a woman at the Red Lion Inn in 1989. He was also suspected of but never charged with several rape

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