FAYETTEVILLE -- A man who police say attacked two women jogging on the Lake Fayetteville Trail in September will continue to be held in jail on a $100,000 bond.
Richard Leroy Turner, 33, of 802 Jeffery Place in Lowell pleaded not guilty in December to kidnapping, aggravated assault and second-degree battery. He was denied a bond reduction Tuesday in Washington County Circuit Court.
Turner's mother said he had been living at home helping her care for her disabled mother before he was arrested. His attorney, Brock Showalter, told Judge Joanna Taylor that Turner's family couldn't come up with enough money to make the bond, but his mother could put up collateral if the bond was lowered.
Terra Stephenson, deputy prosecutor, said Turner raped a 13-year-old-girl in 2003, failed to register as a sex offender in 2014 and was on probation when the attacks occurred. She said Turner's release would place undue anxiety on the victims in the case.
"He has shown himself to be someone who does not play by the rules and doesn't follow the law," Stephenson said.
Taylor agreed and said she considered Turner's history and that the joggers were violently attacked and injured by a stranger.
"The bond is reasonable, there will be no reduction," Taylor said.
The defense has requested a mental examination to determine if Turner is fit to proceed. He has another status hearing March 29.
Police said they found Turner by using DNA evidence from sunglasses he left at the scene.
NW News on 02/10/2016