A Paso Robles man who is expected to stand trial in November on manslaughter charges has been accused of raping a San Luis Obispo woman at her home last month.

Jeremy Hollis, 34, made his first court appearance Wednesday in the alleged sexual assault case, where he’s been charged with rape, digit penetration and oral copulation, said David Hurst, who’s representing Hollis.

Hollis pleaded not guilty to the charges, Hurst said, and a preliminary hearing in the case is set for Oct. 15, two weeks before a scheduled readiness conference in the manslaughter case.

“We are basically going to do the (two cases) at the same time,” Hurst said.

Hurst said his client met the unidentified victim on the night of the alleged assault, which occurred sometime in mid-August in San Luis Obispo. The attorney didn’t offer any further information, and no other details about the alleged assault could be obtained prior to press time.

Hollis has been free on bail since May 17, 2007, after he was arrested on suspicion of murder on May 9 for the death of 30-year-old Gregory Mascorro, of Shell Beach, outside of Alex Bar-B-Q the previous evening.

According to court records, Hollis and Mascorro had been playing a game of pool at Alex’s when they got into a verbal altercation and were told to go outside.

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Once outside, the two men began hitting each other and at some point Mascorro fell to the ground, losing consciousness. When police arrived at the scene, Mascorro wasn’t breathing and Hollis was administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation, according to court records.

Hollis has been charged with felony manslaughter and felony involuntary manslaughter for Mascorro’s death. A jury trial in the case is expected to start Nov. 3, according to the District Attorney’s Office.

If convicted of voluntary manslaughter, Hollis faces a maximum sentence of 11 years in state prison. Conviction for involuntary manslaughter carries a maximum sentence of four years in state prison.

April Charlton can be reached at 489-4206, Ext. 5016, or acharlton@santamariatimes.com.

September 25, 2008