MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Former Memphis Police Officer Bridges Randle hoped he could avoid going to trial, but a courtroom is where he will have to fight charges that he raped a woman back in 2000.
Randle told WREG in May he was ready for it to be over.
“Do you hope it gets thrown out?” we asked.
“Of course, of course I do. It’s been a long time. It really has. It’s unfortunate, but I would refer back to my attorney,” Randle said.
Randle’s attorney, Leslie Ballin, said bringing charges so many years after the crime denies him due process.
“What I am at a disadvantage with is the disability to find supporting witnesses for an event that happened 15 years ago. I anticipate the complainant to say there was sex that was non-consensual. We have a different story,” said Ballin.
Judge Mark Ward ruled Randle could get a fair trial despite the time that had passed.
He said the trial could proceed.
Now, other defendants hoping the due process issue would factor in their case may be out of luck.
“I think future rulings from this judge and other judges will be consistent with this ruling today. I still maintain that my legal motion to dismiss was well taken and should have been granted,” said Ballin.
Randle can still appeal if he is convicted at trial.
The denial of the motion to dismiss could come up again at that time.
Trial is set for April 2016.
