Judge rules Sylvania Township teen rape suspect's statements will be allowed in court

11/7/2013

A motion to suppress statements made by a juvenile rape suspect was denied today.

Lucas County juvenile court Judge Connie Zemmelman said she made her decision after watching almost 18 minutes of the teen's interview with a Sylvania police officer, reading a transcript from court and a memorandum to suppress filed by the teen's attorney, Ronnie Wingate, and doing research.

The teen was 14 when he was charged on Sept. 17 with rape. The teen, now 15, and a 17-year-old boy, both students at Southview High School, are accused of raping a 15-year-old girl, also a student at the school, at Olander Park on Sept. 15.

The 17-year-old is charged with rape and kidnapping.

During the suppression hearing, Mr. Wingate argued that the younger suspect should have had a parent or lawyer present while talking with police.

Judge Zemmelman said today that, although she thinks children should have a parent with them when talking to police, that no laws were broken and the statements would be admissible during trial.

The younger suspect is scheduled to be tried on Wednesday. The 17-year-old's trial is scheduled for Nov. 20. They both remain held in detention.