Police 'confident' rape suspect knew circumstances

KANNAPOLIS -- Authorities say they are confident that a North Carolina man charged with rape for an encounter arranged on Craigslist knew that it was not consensual. Kannapolis Police Capt. Chuck Adams told WCNC-TV that 39-year-old Rodney Liverman Sr. of Norwood should have known that the encounter was not going to be a role-play. Authorities have said that the woman's husband arranged the attack online, and investigators say he watched as Liverman assaulted his wife. Liverman was arrested Friday and is charged with first-degree rape and three other sex offenses. Authorities said they do not know if Liverman has an attorney. The husband was charged earlier with first-degree rape and remains in jail on a $200,000 bond. The attack occurred May 31 at a home in Kannapolis, about 25 miles northeast of Charlotte. (Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)