Hearing Tuesday for Teen Accused of Rape
A Newbury Park teenager suspected of raping a college student and attacking four other people in 1996 will find out next week whether he is to stand trial.
A preliminary hearing for Chad Schmidt, who allegedly terrorized his Newbury Park neighborhood for two months as a 17-year-old, is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Tuesday in Ventura Municipal Court.
Originally scheduled for Friday, the hearing was continued because of the holiday season.
“A lot of the witnesses are on vacation,” said prosecutor Lisa Frawley.
Schmidt faces 23 criminal counts, including rape, sexual assault, assault with intent to commit sodomy and sexual battery. The counts also include a charge of indecent exposure that stemmed from an October incident in which Schmidt allegedly exposed himself to three female jail inmates.
The former Newbury Park High School student has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
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