Jury to consider rape case against NYC officers

NEW YORK – Jurors are set to begin deliberations Wednesday in the trial of two New York City police officers accused of raping a drunken woman after they were called to escort her home.

In closing arguments Tuesday, prosecutor Coleen Balbert said police officer Kenneth Moreno may not have believed that sex with the woman was rape, but it was, because she was physically helpless.

Prosecutors say Moreno raped the woman in December 2008 while his partner, Franklin Mata, stood watch.

Moreno denies having sex with the woman — and both officers deny any criminal wrongdoing.

Balbert accused the officers of lying on the stand. She said Mata had to have known what happened, and then helped to cover it up.