Accused Troy Rapist Expected To Be Freed On Bond

A Pike County judge has reduced bond for a man accused of raping two Troy University coeds.  Following a hearing held Tuesday, District Judge William Hightower agreed to reduce Andre Lamon's Ellis' bonds by $100,000. Ellis' attorney said his client should be able to post bond within a matter of hours.

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 neighbourhood 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.

Defense attorney J. Carlton Taylor claimed neither the defendant could not meet the higher bond.. He also said 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.

Ellis had been held on $200,000 for each rape charge and $50,000 for a burglary charge.  Hightower lowered the rape bonds by $50,000 each but did not reduce the burglary bond.