LAKEPORT >> Nine months after his arrest, a jury will hear the case against Rick Hamilton, 60, a local businessman and member of the Lake County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.
Hamilton faces five charges related to the alleged attempted rape of a former girlfriend last summer. He pled not guilty to all charges at a recent arraignment hearing.
The alleged victim did not tell police of the incident until last October. An investigation ensued and Hamilton was arrested on October 22, 2015. He was not taken into custody.
According to the lead investigator in the case, Lakeport Police Detective Dale Stoebe, met with the alleged victim. He reportedly recalls her telling him that Hamilton had attacked her.
Hamilton and the woman had dated for about 10 months. Their relationship ended about four to five months before Hamilton was charged, in regards to his alleged involvement with this incident.
During the Preliminary Hearing earlier this month, Stoebe testified that the woman told him that she and Hamilton met at a farmer’s market in Kelseyville and met at her home later, where they talked and drank wine on her deck.
The woman told Stoebe that she went inside and sat down on the couch. According to her statement to the detective, Hamilton followed and allegedly jumped her. She claims he forced her down and tried to remove articles of her clothing.
Stoebe testified Hamilton would not stop, even though the woman repeatedly told him to stop. In the officer’s account, she was able to kick Hamilton off of her, when he dressed and left.
Defense Attorney David Markham questioned Stoebe during the Preliminary Hearing, asking him if the alleged victim confirmed having consensual “rough sex” with Hamilton. Stoebe alleged that she did.
Judge Andrew Blum presided over the preliminary hearing and concluded there was sufficient cause to order Hamilton to stand trial.
Last week Judge Hedstrom presided over the arraignment. The Court informed Hamilton of the information filed against him and of the charges contained.
Hamilton is facing the five following charges, including False Imprisonment, Stalking and Rape By Force/Violence/Duress/Menace or Fear. Hamilton entered a plea of not guilty to all counts and denied the special allegations while entering a general time waiver.
The court appointed Markham to represent Hamilton. At the request of counsel, this matter is set for hearing on the following dates: Trial Readiness/Settlement Conference is set for October 14 at 9 a.m. in Department 2 with a Master Calendar Call being set October 28 at 8:15 a.m. in Department 3.
Jury Trial is set for November 2 at 8:15 a.m. in a department to be announced. The defendant is ordered to be present on all dates.
