Closing arguments heard in rape case

NEW HANOVER COUNTY — Closing arguments were heard today in Antonio McAllister’s trial.

McAllister is accused of raping and beating a 78-year-old Pender County woman.

It’s now up to the jury as to whether McAllister walks away a free man, or whether he’s sent to prison.

Today, some of McAllister’s family members took the stand in his defense. They testified that at the time of the rape McAllister was completely bald.

Monday prosecutors claimed a single hair inside of a sock found at the crime scene matched McAllister’s DNA.

It was never clarified whether that hair was a body hair or from the head.

Family members also testified that the night of the rape, July 5, 2005, McAllister was staying at his grandmother’s home which is within walking distance of the victim’s house.

McAllister never took the stand.

McAllister’s attorneys still believe that the single hair connecting McAllister to the crime was planted by the lead investigator of the case.

A verdict in the case could come down as early as tomorrow afternoon.