BORDERLAND
Pre-trial postponed for alleged Olander Park rapists
10/1/2013
The bathrooms at Olander Park in Sylvania where a rape allegedly occured.
A pre-trial court hearing today for two teenage boys accused of raping a schoolmate was postponed for one week.
The boys, 14 and 17 and students at Sylvania's Southview High School, appeared in Lucas County juvenile court Tuesday for what was scheduled as a pre-trial hearing.
The 17 year old is also charged with kidnapping in the case involving a 15-year-old girl, also a student at Southview, whom the boys are accused of raping Sept. 16 at Olander Park.
The youths appeared with their mothers, fathers, and attorneys. They were silent during the brief appearance before Judge Connie Zemmelman. Neither suspect has a prior criminal record.
The hearing was postponed for several reasons, in part to determine who will represent the 17 year old: a court-appointed attorney or one retained by his family.
Adult certification against the suspects is discretionary. Lori Olender, who oversees the juvenile division of the Lucas County Prosecutor's Office, said a decision has not yet been made on whether to certify the 17 year old.
The 14 year old will not be certified, but Judge Zemmelman denied a request Tuesday from his attorney to release him to the custody of his parents, who had arranged for 24-hour supervision.