Marin man who pled innocent because accuser is '300 pounds' found guilty of rape

A 27-year-old San Rafael man charged with raping a woman in Corte Madera was found guilty Friday at his second trial, according to the Marin Independent Journal. A 27-year-old San Rafael man charged with raping a woman in Corte Madera was found guilty Friday at his second trial, according to the Marin Independent Journal. Photo: Getty Images Photo: Getty Images Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Marin man who pled innocent because accuser is '300 pounds' found guilty of rape 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

A 27-year-old San Rafael man charged with raping a woman in Corte Madera was found guilty Friday at his second trial, according to the Marin Independent Journal. The man, Izell Lewis, a fitness trainer and boxer at Corte Madera Town Center, faces up to eight years in prison.

When charged in September 2017 with raping an acquaintance who also worked at the mall, Lewis argued that he could not have committed the crime because he's "a good-looking guy" and the alleged victim is "300 pounds," local media reported. During initial proceedings, he chose to represent himself.

Last December, a trial for the rape case was canceled due to question over Lewis’ mental competence to stand trial. He was eventually deemed competent and went to trial, but the judge declared a mistrial in October.

A new jury found Lewis guilty on Friday afternoon.

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“I believe that he acted against his own best interests by testifying and having vocal outbursts in court,” Lewis’ defense attorney, Jon Rankin, told the Marin Independent Journal.

Additionally, while free on bail in March 2018, Lewis allegedly exposed himself and masturbated in front of a female Uber driver. This case is still pending, among two other cases where he is facing charges.

Madeline Wells is an SFGATE associate digital reporter. Email: madeline.wells@sfgate.com | Twitter: @madwells22