Convicted Planning Board Member Seeks New Rape Trial

Jeffrey Gray, a former Salem Planning Board member serving 7 to 14 years in prison for luring and raping a pregnant New York woman, is seeking a new trial because he claims false testimony from the victim and a detective led to his conviction in June 2012, according to the Union Leader.

The victim posted on Craigslist in 2011 that she was looking for a place to live, and Gray, now 51, agreed to let the woman move into his home in March 2011.

After three days, the woman alleged Gray raped and held her against her will. The next morning he drove her to Logan Airport for her to return to New York, at which point she reported what she said happened to authorities.

Gray has admitted to having sex with the woman, but has claimed it was consensual. The woman has said it wasn't, and the rapes involved "mommy and baby" role-playing.

Physical evidence recovered from his home included duct tape (which wasn't actually used), used and unused adult diapers, and urine-stained bed sheets and a blanket.

One of the jurors that convicted Gray on only one of the seven charges the man faced spoke out to Patch about the trial and nature of Gray's crimes, stating that Gray would have been "way worse off" if there had been more physical evidence.

The Union Leader has reported that Judge Marguerite Wageling has set a Nov. 14 hearing so Gray can argue his case for a new trial. Gray will reportedly represent himself during that hearing.