OTTAWA — An Arizona prison inmate will be tried in connection with the kidnapping and attack of a 16-year-old Williamsburg girl 11 years ago. District Judge Eric Godderz ruled Tuesday afternoon there was enough evidence to try Ralph Corey on charges that include kidnapping and aggravated sexual battery in connection with the incident. During Corey’s preliminary hearing in Franklin County District Court, Godderz also agreed to a request by County Attorney Heather Jones to add a charge of attempted rape against the former trucker. Corey is charged in connection with a case in which an intruder forced his way into the girl’s car at Wal-mart and then taking her to parking lots at Orscheln’s and Country Cart and trying to rape her in February 2000. The woman is now 27 and described the attack but didn’t directly identify Corey. Under questioning by Corey’s attorney John Boyd, she said that following the attack, she had suspected another man, who was questioned by police but not arrested. Another woman, Tammy Smith, testified that on the same night, a man tried to force his way into her car and she hurriedly drove away. She identified the man as Corey. Corey was arrested after his DNA was picked out by a special Kansas Bureau of Investigation cold-case computer program.
Godderz rejected a request by Boyd to reduce Corey’s bond from $500,000 to $50,000 and he remains in the Franklin County jail. Corey’s arraignment, in which he’ll offer a plea, has been tentative set for Nov. 22.
Wednesday, Nov. 9, 6 a.m.
