Newcomer bound over on 13 rape charges

A Bonne Terre teen has been bound over on rape charges. On Tuesday, Associate Circuit Court Judge Wendy Wexler Horn bound Brady J. Newcomer, 18, of Bonne Terre, over on 13 charges of forcible rape.

“Bound over” is a process used in the court system where a judge hears testimony in a case and then rules there is reason to proceed to the trial process. The ruling is not a final determination of guilt or innocence, but a finding that there appears to be enough evidence to proceed with the case.

Newcomer was under the age of 18 when the first of the crimes allegedly occurred in July of 2009. He was certified to be tried as an adult prior to being formally charged.

Judge Horn heard from two witnesses during the hour-and-a-half long preliminary hearing. The case will be moved to the circuit court level for trial setting. A court date has not been set due to a dispute over a judge assignment.

Also during the hearing, Newcomer’s attorneys, John Pleban and Brandi Barth of St. Louis, asked the judge to consider another bond reduction. The bond was originally set at $500,000 cash only. The judge reduced the bond to $250,000 cash or surety on Sept. 24.

Judge Horn denied the new request for a bond reduction.  

According to court records, a girl told authorities that Newcomer forced her to have sexual intercourse 13 times beginning in July of 2009. He was a year older than the victim.