FAYETTEVILLE -- The attorney for a Lowell man accused of assaulting two women on a north Fayetteville trail last fall wants a judge to suppress statements his client made to police.
Richard Leroy Turner, 34, pleaded innocent in Washington County Circuit Court in December to kidnapping, aggravated assault and second-degree battery. Turner is being held at the Washington County jail in lieu of $100,000 bond. He is awaiting trial.
Brock Showalter, Turner's attorney, argued statements Turner made to police should be thrown out because Turner was not properly advised of his constitutional rights, did not knowingly waive his right against self-incrimination and was denied counsel during questioning. A motion to suppress recordings of telephone calls Turner made from the Washington County jail was also filed Thursday.
In late September, a court-ordered psychological exam found Turner competent to stand trial.
Turner was diagnosed with methamphetamine disorder, major depressive disorder and panic disorder. He told doctors he did not remember the incidents on the trail.
Turner's next court appearance is set for Nov. 16 before Circuit Judge Joanna Taylor.
Police said they found Turnerby using DNA evidence from sunglasses he left at the scene.
April Robertson, 28, of Springdale reported an assault at 2:22 p.m. Sept. 13, 2015. 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 able to get away 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.
Metro on 10/15/2016