Judge denies lower bail for Piqua rape suspects

A Miami County judge Monday refused to reduce bail set at $500,000 each for two men accused of raping a woman they knew during a fishing trip near Piqua.

The bail initially was set in county Municipal Court following the June arrests of Thomas D. Hall, 23, then of Piqua and now listing a Bradford address, and Corey J. Locker, 23, then of Piqua and now listing a Greenville address.

The bail was continued Monday by Judge Christopher Gee after Hall and Locker pleaded not guilty to two counts each of felony rape in county Common Pleas Court. The indictments were issued in July by a county grand jury.

Lawyers for both men asked for reduced bonds, saying any sexual activity was with the woman’s consent. A report by sheriff’s deputies said the woman told them she was fishing with the men late June 1 at the Great Miami River off Route 66 near the bike path when she was raped by the men.

Pretrial hearings for Locker and Hall are scheduled for Aug. 5.