Never seen kauffman fight before, but he was one of the better U.S. amateur heavyweights before he turned pro. He had originally plead guilty of rape, but then fired his attorney and changed his plea. He'll resume his career, though he's also accussed of selling marijuana to undercover cops on several occassions. Jurors acquit Exeter boxer of rape By Holly Herman Reading Eagle Heavyweight boxer Travis D. Kauffman said Friday that the weight of the world is off his shoulders following his acquittal in Berks County Court of raping a 12-year-old girl. "I feel relieved and full of joy," Kauffman said. Kauffman, 22, of the 4000 block of Alpine Court, Exeter Township, was acquitted Wednesday of rape and indecent assault following a trial before Judge Thomas G. Parisi. The jury deliberated for two hours. Kauffman had been accused of raping the girl in his home in Jan. 31, 2005. Kauffman, father of 2-year-old Travis Jr., said he will move forward with his boxing career. "It has been really hard," he said. "I could not focus on my career. Now, I can go back and be a father of my son and be positive. "Thank God it is over. I love the city of Reading, and I hope to do good things for the city." Kauffman said he is grateful to his lawyer, Jack McMahon of Philadelphia. In June, Kauffman pleaded guilty to rape and was facing a mandatory five- to 10-year sentence. He then fired his attorney, Emmanuel H. Dimitriou of Reading, hired McMahon and withdrew the plea. Dimitriou died earlier this month. "He went from facing a five-year sentence to a zero-year sentence," McMahon said. "Now, he can move on with his life." Authorities had accused Kauffman of picking up the girl at her school and driving her to his home. Kauffman was 19 at the time. The girl testified Kauffman picked her up at Gov. Mifflin Middle School when she was 12 and drove her to his house where they had sexual relations. The girl’s friend, a 17-year-old whose name is being withheld, testified for the prosecution that Kauffman told her he was upset when he found out the girl was only 12 and he drove her home. McMahon argued that Assistant District Attorney Ellen West did not present medical evidence to prove rape. West said the girl’s testimony was credible. Meanwhile, Kauffman also is accused of selling marijuana on March 18, 19 and 29, 2004, to undercover police in Reading. He remains free on bail. That case is pending before Judge Paul M. Yatron. Kauffman has a 10-0 record with seven knockouts. He last fought in April. • Contact reporter Holly Herman at 610-478-6291 or hherman@readingeagle.com.
Right. Kaufmann is a repeat offender/criminal. He has no busines being on the strees. But I guess the Hilton's, Kaufmann and Mark Chimura could get a five on five team going down at the loal gym.
:dunno: I wonder if he'll get a seat in the white-house next to Dimitry Saleta, when the republics celebrate Hannuka this year?.
As I remember, the girl that Chmura was accused of having sex with was 17 with change. That ain't 12. I think she also wagged her finger to get him into the bathroom. I would guess that even if you think Chmura is guilty of something, it's a lot different something than someone having sex with a 12 year old is guilty of.
