Judge refuses to reduce rape suspect's jail bond

A man accused of kidnapping a woman from a hospital parking lot and raping her will have to stay in jail a bit longer. A judge has refused to reduce Michael McWhirt's $450,000 bond. <br/><br/>While

Thursday, June 10th 2004, 5:37 am

By: News On 6

A man accused of kidnapping a woman from a hospital parking lot and raping her will have to stay in jail a bit longer. A judge has refused to reduce Michael McWhirt's $450,000 bond.

While the alleged victim is greatly relieved, she says going through the court case violates her all over again. But as News on 6 crime reporter Lori Fullbright tells us, the suspect is claiming it wasn't rape, but an extra-marital affair.

Monica Bray was not alone in court; she was surrounded by two dozen family, friends and church members. And, they were all shocked and hurt by what they heard. Michael McWhirt's attorney told the judge this was not a random, stranger kidnapping and rape, but an affair that had been going on quite some time. Monica Bray, "It's a bunch of crap; I don't know where they come up with this stuff."

Prosecutors say the evidence backs up the victim's story, which she got to work and was kidnapped at knifepoint, leaving her car open and belongings inside. That she was taken to a motel, raped and forced to wash, they say the suspect's DNA was on the motel's bar of soap. That when he stopped at a gas station, she jumped out and screamed for help and the suspect took off.

They argued that his $450,000 bond should not be reduced, because he's a danger to society and a flight risk. The judge agreed. He based his decision in part because another woman initially said McWhirt was the man who grabbed her on the Riverparks jogging trail back in January and because another rape of a nurse happened in Huntsville, Texas at a time when McWhirt lived there.

Monica: "I'm relieved. I not only feel safer for my family and myself, but, also for other women and that was important to me."

McWhirt's trial is now set for October 11th. He had friends and family at the hearing also, who are standing behind him.

The court also revealed when McWhirt's home was searched in connection with the rape case in March, deputies found three pounds of marijuana in his home. But no charges have been filed. The Creek County Sheriff's office says it's waiting on additional paperwork before turning the final case over to the DA.