COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) - Two Fort Carson soldiers accused of raping a 17-year-old girl have waived their right to a preliminary hearing, a sign a plea deal may be in the works.
The Gazette reports (https://goo.gl/j5AtpE ) 20-year-old Spc. Noel Acevedo-Mercado and 19-year-old Pfc. John Donathan appeared in court Monday and passed on the hearing to determine if enough evidence exists to go to trial. Instead, a disposition hearing was set for June 1.
The men met the teen at a party outside Colorado Springs on Oct. 4. and joined a group that followed her home afterward. According to court documents, the girl, whose mother was away, became ill after drinking and went to her bedroom. She told police the men followed her and raped her.
The soldiers told investigators the girl consented to the sex. Defense attorneys declined to comment after Monday’s hearing.
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Information from: The Gazette, https://www.gazette.com
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