FAYETTEVILLE -- A man who police say attacked two women jogging on Lake Fayetteville Trail in September received a new court date Tuesday.
Richard Leroy Turner, 33, of 802 Jeffery Place in Lowell pleaded not guilty in December to kidnapping, aggravated assault and second-degree battery.
The defense has requested a mental examination to determine if Turner is fit to proceed. He has another status hearing March 29 before Circuit Judge Joanna Taylor.
Police said they found Turner, who was previously convicted of sexual assault, by using DNA evidence from sunglasses he left at the scene.
April Robertson, 27, of Springdale reported an assault at 2:22 p.m. Sept. 13. Robertson is a reporter for the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
Robertson told police she was jogging alone when a man ran up behind her and tackled her, according to an arrest warrant affidavit from Washington County Circuit Court. The man punched Robertson on the head and face then dragged her into the woods, police said.
Robertson was eventually able to leave and call 911.
Earlier the same day, another woman jogging on the same trail ran away from a man who attacked her about 6 a.m., according to police.
Turner is being held at the Washington County Detention Center in lieu of $100,000 bond.
NW News on 01/27/2016