A former Eastern Michigan University fraternity member by now accused of gang rape is now envisioned to face additional accusers in courtroom.
Prosecutors revealed on Thursday their intent to file seven new costs towards Thomas Hernandez, 23, of Lincoln Park, who appeared in a video clip probable bring about hearing in Washtenaw County’s 14A-1 District Courtroom.
Hernandez’s legal professional, William Amadeo, in convert, immediately revealed his intent to struggle the prices.
Hernandez is one of multiple guys accused of sexual assaults all through their time at EMU and whose alleged steps are the foundation of a consolidated federal lawsuit against school officials and several Greek Everyday living entities. The 19 women suing say officials turned a blind eye to intercourse assaults and remaining them susceptible the college has denied this.
Hernandez currently faces four fees of sexual assault connected to two gals, but Jackson County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Kati Rezmierski on Thursday highlighted two new victims she intends to convey.
A lot more:He identified as 2 Jap Michigan University adult males rapists. He was arrested in advance of them.
Extra:EMU states it can’t consider blame for sex assaults it didn’t know about
Jackson County prosecutors have taken the Washtenaw case simply because of Washtenaw County Prosecutor Eli Savit’s coverage of not managing scenarios involving allegations of police violence. However Hernandez is not a cop, his codefendant, D’Angelo McWilliams, is a Washtenaw County Sheriff’s deputy.
McWilliams, 26, of Canton, is accused of assaults prior to his time with the badge, back when he and Hernandez had been fraternity brothers and, at occasions, roommates at Delta Tau Delta. He faces sexual intercourse assault prices linked to a few women and a domestic violence demand involving one particular woman.
Rezmierski only gave initials on Thursday for the claimed victims envisioned to be included in the amended prison grievance from Hernandez, but the initials show up to match all those of the females tied to McWilliams’ sexual intercourse assault scenarios.
Just one present demand against Hernandez is expected to be dismissed, and then Hernandez would encounter a total of 7 counts of to start with-degree felony sexual conduct, one particular depend of 3rd-degree legal sexual perform, one depend of assault and battery, and one particular depend of indecent publicity by a sexually delinquent particular person, by Rezmierski’s description to the court.
Amadeo has vehemently stood by Hernandez, who, together with McWilliams, denied assaulting any person when they spoke to police very last 12 months. Amadeo did not waiver Thursday, either.
“Whether or not it is one count or 1,000 counts, I feel in Thomas’ innocence and intend to fight,” he reported in a statement.
Hernandez faces up to everyday living in jail if convicted of first-degree felony sexual carry out. He’s predicted again in courtroom Sept. 30.
Amadeo has asked for that a preliminary assessment established for Oct. 19, in which the accusers would be called to testify in get to have the circumstance sent more than to trial courtroom, be in person.
McWilliams and a buddy of his are equally scheduled to return to court future week.
Dustyn Durbin, 24, of Frenchtown Township, and also a graduate and ex-Greek Life male, faces accusations of sexual assault from 9 girls in court. He denied assaulting any person when talking to law enforcement and has been offered a plea deal of 15-30 many years in prison in his situation.
He is predicted to return to court docket on Monday.
All three guys had been launched on bond.
Darcie Moran is a breaking news reporter and podcaster for the Detroit Free of charge Push. She’s served as an investigative reporter and covered justice issues, crime, protests, wildfires and government affairs. Get hold of Moran: dmoran@freepress.com. Twitter: @darciegmoran.