An Allegheny County jury today found a Highland Park man guilty of four of the five rapes with which he is charged.

The jury took about 3 1/2 hours before returning the verdict against Keith Wood, 51, this afternoon. The rapes of five women in eastern Pittsburgh and nearby suburbs in 2000 and 2001 had led police to search for a man who became known as the 'East End Rapist.'

Mr. Wood didn't change expression as the verdict was read.

The victims shared hugs with family and friends in the hallway afterwards.

During closing arguments this morning, Assistant Public Defender Lisa Phillips attacked the prosecution's case. She said it had a collection of evidence that's like a jigsaw puzzle and was trying to force in pieces that didn't fit together.

She said testimony differed among victims, with some saying they smelled the attacker's cologne, some saying he smelled of alcohol. There also was disagreement among victims on whether their attacker had a weapon.

But Deputy District Attorney Janet Necessary countered that DNA evidence overwhelmingly proves that Mr. Wood was the attacker in four of the cases.

Judge Jeffrey Manning set sentencing for Sept. 3.

More details in tomorrow's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

First Published: June 16, 2008, 7:45 p.m.