Hearing could send teen rape suspect to adult court

A hearing Friday afternoon is expected to determine if a 16-year-old youth will be tried as an adult in the rape of a 22-year-old woman.

The Carson City teenager is accused of the Aug. 3 beating and rape of a Gardnerville woman after the two met earlier in the evening.

During Friday's certification hearing in Carson City Juvenile Court, Deputy District Attorney Trina Dahlin plans to present testimony to prove there is enough evidence to go forward with the charge.

To keep the case in juvenile jurisdiction, the teen has to prove the crime was committed while he was under the influence of drugs or alcohol or because of a mental deficiency, Dahlin said. According to police reports, the woman said she didn't know the teen, who is 6 feet, 1 inch tall and weighs 210 pounds, but had met him earlier the same evening while at a downtown Carson City bar.

Later, the woman went alone to another bar on Winnie Lane.

When she left there at 3:30 a.m., she told police, the youth was outside where the two got into an argument.

The teen allegedly dragged the woman across the street where he raped her, and then for three hours kept her under his control through force and death threats. He took her into an apartment complex laundry room, raped her again and took her wallet.

On Michael Drive, the woman was able to escape from the youth and flag down a passing car. She and the motorist found a sheriff's patrol car at 6:30 a.m.

The youth stands accused of sexual assault, battery with intent to commit sexual assault, kidnapping, possession of stolen property and illegal consumption of alcohol.