Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Mental Tests Ordered For 2 Rape Suspects

Two Prescott men will be getting mental evaluations in connection with charges of rape, stemming from an April 20, 1996 incident.

Dechay Wilson, 19, and Jared Woodley, 17, were arrested and charged with rape, residential burglary and aggravated robbery, along with theft of property, after allegedly raping and robbing a 68-year-old Prescott woman in her home.

The two, according to court records, reportedly entered the woman's home through the back door. She entered the front of her residence and was watching television on her couch when Woodley and Wilson allegedly came out of the kitchen area and assaulted her.

A towel was thrown over her head as the two demanded money, taking about $50 from her purse. They also allegedly ransacked her home.

Reports state the two had picked up knives in the kitchen at the time of the attack.

Court records state the pair raped the woman on her couch, each while the other held her hands, preventing her from attempting to defend herself.

Records show the pair will be sent to the South Arkansas Regional Health Center in El Dorado by court order issued Sept. 26, 1996.

With Wilson being older than 18, he automatically was charged as an adult. Because of the nature of the crime, Woodley was also charged as an adult.

Both suspects entered pleas of not guilty to all charges.