Trial begins for former Palm Springs Power player accused of rape

Jury selection began Tuesday in the case of a former Palm Springs Power player accused of raping an unconscious woman in Indio in 2014.

Trent William Pell is charged with two counts of rape, one count of assault with intent to rape, and one misdemeanor count of sexual battery in connection with the alleged June 16, 2014 attack. Pell turned himself into the authorities in August 2014.

“They are doing jury selection,” said John Hall, public information officer for the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office. If they finish in the morning, they could start openings tomorrow afternoon.”

Pell, a collegiate athlete at the time, was released by the Power the season following the alleged attack. Team President Andrew Starke cited “disciplinary reasons,” for his dismissal.

According to Indio Police Department Sgt. Dan Marshall, the alleged crime took place at a get-together of some kind in Indio, but the victim was not from Indio.

“Assuming that criminal charges have been filed … we do realize that Mr. Pell is presumed innocent until proven guilty in the court of law and we are going to let the legal system handle this matter,” Starke said in 2014.