Trial this week for teen in rape, robbery of 76-year-old woman

A teen accused of sexually assaulting an elderly woman during a home invasion is scheduled for jury trial this week.

Marquatesz R. Redmon was 17 when he allegedly raped and robbed a 76-year-old Wichita woman June 7, 2013, but is being prosecuted as an adult on rape, aggravated burglary, aggravated robbery and criminal threat charges.

Jury selection started Monday in Sedgwick County District Court. Opening statements are expected Tuesday. This week’s proceedings are slated to last three to four days.

Redmon, now 18, has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Redmon was arrested a few blocks away from a southeast Wichita home that two intruders broke into on June 7. One of the intruders sexually assaulted the elderly woman while the other gathered her TVs, jewelry and a few dollars in cash, authorities have said.

Although the woman was unable to identify her rapist, Wichita police said her DNA was found on Redmon’s underwear when he was arrested.

The woman testified during a court hearing last August that her attacker held a handgun to her head and threatened to kill her if she called police.

Redmon remains in Sedgwick County Jail on $250,000 bond. He is one of three people charged in connection with the break-in and the woman’s assault.

John Edward Thompson Jr., 19, will be sentenced Oct. 9 for attempted kidnapping, aggravated burglary and aggravated robbery after pleading guilty in July. He faces a presumptive prison sentence of 31 to 136 months on both the attempted kidnapping and burglary convictions and 55 to 247 months for the robbery but plans to ask for probation, according to court documents.

Thompson’s motion for sentencing departure says he has agreed to testify against Redmon in all court proceedings.

The third defendant, Jessica Ward, who was charged with two counts of aiding a felon, pleaded no contest Sept. 19. Prosecutors dismissed one of her counts as part of her plea deal, court documents show.

Ward, 24, is set for sentencing Oct. 31. She is expected to receive probation.

Contributing: Stan Finger of The Eagle

This story was originally published September 29, 2014 at 6:05 AM with the headline "Trial this week for teen in rape, robbery of 76-year-old woman."