Man not guilty in rape, sexting case in Chester County

WEST CHESTER – A former Philadelphia man accused of raping a Parkesburg teenager in his car after meeting her at the county youth center was acquitted of all charges.

On Friday, a Common Pleas Court jury found Ameer Sutton-Best not guilty of rape, sexual assault, statutory sexual assault, unlawful contact with a minor, institutional sexual assault by a sports official and related charges.

He had been held in the Chester County Jail since his arrest in the summer of 2022. As well as being accused of assaulting the girl, he allegedly asked other teenagers to send him sexually explicit photos via text.

The panel deliberated for seven hours before returning to Judge Alita Rovito’s courtroom to deliver its decision, which was a blow to the prosecution. Not only were the crimes he was accused of significant, but Sutton-Best’s own criminal history was also seen as concerning.

Sutton-Best’s arrest in October 2022 led to news that he was allowed to serve as a volunteer at Parkesburg’s popular youth center, The Point, despite being convicted of an infamous murder as a young boy living in Philadelphia.

Sutton-Best, 33, of Parkersburg, had been incarcerated at the state prison in Pine Grove for more than 12 years after being sentenced by a Philadelphia judge in October 2009 for the murder of a Philadelphia man who was attacked by a mob. Footage of teenagers skipping school in the city in an unprovoked attack while walking on a subway platform near City Hall.

Sutton-Best, or Ameer Leon Best as he was then known, was convicted at a hearing in Common Pleas Court of third-degree murder and conspiracy in the death of Sean Conroy, 36, a store manager at a Starbucks coffee shop. Growing city in Delaware County. Sutton-Best was 17 at the time of the crime.

He was released in 2021. The jury as selected was unaware of his past criminal history.

Defense attorney Melissa McCafferty, who represented Sutton-Best at the five-day hearing, said her client was exonerated because the prosecution’s case was not reviewed.

“The prosecution alleged that for all three of the minor complainants, (Sutton-Best) communicated via some form of telecommunication (text or smartphone app),” he wrote in an email Saturday. However, “there is no information corroborating any of the allegations other than the statements of three financially motivated minors.” He said each has filed a civil lawsuit against The Point.

“None of the minors went to an adult or law enforcement to report the alleged crimes when they occurred,” McCafferty said. “An administrator at Point heard an ugly rumor, knew the parties, and as an authorized reporter contacted Childline, which in turn contacted law enforcement. Law enforcement then had to search for them.

“After 2.5 days of intense testimony, there were many more unanswered questions than when we started, which the prosecution needed but did not answer or explain to the jury,” he said. “And if the jury has more questions than answers, even after hours of witness testimony, then that’s the reasonable doubt they need to find the client not guilty.”

District Attorney Christopher deBarrena-Sarobe praised the teen for his testimony.

“It was incredibly brave for these victims to come forward and testify at trial,” he said in a statement Monday. “We’re disappointed for them, but we also respect the jury’s decision.”

Although the verdict cleared Sutton-Best of the charges in Parkesburg, he was not released after the jury returned. He is being held on a State Parole Board hold because of his previous conviction in the murder case.

To contact staff writer Michael P. Rellahan, call 610-696-1544.

First Publication Date: November 4, 2024, 10:05 EST