Man Accused Of Raping Troy University Students Wants Bail Lowered
By: Ken Curtis
Updated: June 19, 2012
The man accused of brutally attacking two Troy University coeds is asking a judge to lower his bail. Andre Lamon Ellis, 35, is charged with two counts of Rape First Degree and also faces a burglary charge. His total bond is set at $450,000 on those charges. Ellis also faces other, less serious, crime allegations as well.
The small business owner was arrested April 25---one month after the two students reported they were sexually assaulted at Hunter's Mountain Mobile Estates. The neighborhood is located several miles from the Troy University Campus.
The two girls, according to police reports, were attacked in two separate incidents. One of the students came forward a few hours later----the other five days after she claims to have been raped. The sexual attacks are both alleged to have occurred March 26.
In a court filing, appointed defense attorney J. Carlton Taylor claims neither the defendant nor his family has the means to post bail at its current level. He also says such an excessive bond serves no legitimate purpose other than to punish the defendant for alleged crimes for which he has not been convicted.
Taylor also predicts his client would be in a far better position to help prepare a defense if he were not incarcerated and claims the accused is not a flight risk, citing ties to the community.
A hearing on the bond reduction request has been set for July 3rd at the Pike County Courthouse.
