LOCKPORT – A man accused of raping a woman at knifepoint was freed from Niagara County Jail Wednesday on the orders of County Judge Sara Sheldon Farkas, as the case against him seemed to be coming unglued.
Roy Reynolds, 57, of 13th Street, Niagara Falls, had been held on $100,000 bail since his Nov. 15 arraignment on charges that included predatory sexual assault, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison upon conviction. The alleged rape occurred Oct. 7 in an alley off the 500 block of 15th Street. Reynolds claimed the sex was consensual.
After a conference with Farkas, Assistant District Attorney Robert A. Zucco said statements by the woman had altered the situation. He said the trial, scheduled for April 29, “appears unlikely.” He said the facts will be placed on the record when Reynolds returns to court next week.
Reynolds rejected a misdemeanor plea offer. Defense attorney E. Earl Key said. “He told me quite clearly he will not take anything, including a disorderly conduct.”
Roy Reynolds, 57, of 13th Street, Niagara Falls, had been held on $100,000 bail since his Nov. 15 arraignment on charges that included predatory sexual assault, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison upon conviction. The alleged rape occurred Oct. 7 in an alley off the 500 block of 15th Street. Reynolds claimed the sex was consensual.
After a conference with Farkas, Assistant District Attorney Robert A. Zucco said statements by the woman had altered the situation. He said the trial, scheduled for April 29, “appears unlikely.” He said the facts will be placed on the record when Reynolds returns to court next week.
Reynolds rejected a misdemeanor plea offer. Defense attorney E. Earl Key said. “He told me quite clearly he will not take anything, including a disorderly conduct.”