From what I understand,it wasn't so much the past record that clinched it as the tape, recorded during the holdup.
Frankly, I am not so sure that hiding a person's past record is the right thing to do. In my Army unit in Germany in the 60s, a fellow was accused of forcible rape. Now, we know the Army hates this crime and will positively hang anybody convicted of it..and rightly so. The GI swore it was consensual and having a choice, selected to be tried in a German court. Best move he ever made; the German court allowed such prior info to be introduced. That info, plus testimony of some who knew her long term clinched it. It showed that she had accused others previously and never proved her case..just craved the publicity.
I am surprised that this post hasn't received much comment( 1 of 32 viewers)..wonder why ?