Spencer
Bond has been reduced for a local man accused of two counts of rape, both as Level 3 felonies.
Thomas H. Spencer, 23, has remained in jail since the bond reduction, accused of compelling the victim by force or imminent threat of force and the second count alleging the victim verbally or otherwise refused consent.
Bond for Spencer, whose gave authorities the address of a local crisis intervention center as his residence, was initially set at $750,000 or 10% cash. On June 17, Bartholomew Superior Court 1 Judge James Worton agreed to drop it to $150,000 or 10% cash.
But if Spencer is released from jail, Worton insisted that he be placed on electric monitoring and ordered to get a mental health evaluation at his own expense.
On June 6, 2023, a woman staying as a short-term guest in the home of the defendant’s parents called 911 to report she had been raped, according to a probable cause affidavit.
When in Columbus Regional Hospital’s emergency room, the woman said she was staying in a spare room when Spencer knocked on her door and asked to enter, the affidavit states. She consented because she believe the defendant just wanted to “hang out with her,” the affidavit states.
After tickling the woman, the sexual assault allegedly occurred, the affidavit states. The victim said she told the defendant to stop multiple times, but he continued, the affidavit states. Spencer then told the victim not to leave the house, but the affidavit states the woman still managed to escape and call 911.
During questioning by investigators, Spencer said he only talked with the woman, listened to music and playfully tickled each other, the court document states. The defendant insisted that he never had sex with his accuser.
But last February, investigators received the DNA analysis report on samples taken from the woman during a sexual assault nurse examination. The defendant also agreed to give police a DNA sample.
“The report showed the DNA profile is at least one trillion times more likely if it originated from the woman and Spencer than if it originated from the woman and an unknown individual,” according to the affidavit. “At this time, there is probable cause that Mr. Thomas Spencer committed the crime of rape.”
Charges were filed on March 15, 2023 – nine months after the alleged assault.
While Spencer told the court he would hire his own lawyer on April 3, he failed to do so. In response, Worton appointed public defender Aaron Edwards to represent him.
A change of plea hearing is currently scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on Oct. 21, while a jury trial is tentatively sent for 8:30 a.m on Nov. 19.
