4 suspects accused of raping 18-year-old woman in Kuna have trial set for August
The four suspects who allegedly raped a woman in Kuna all appeared in court Tuesday and maintained their innocence, and a four-week jury trial was scheduled for August.
The defendants are Elias Lupango, 19; Swedi Iyombelo, 18; Mulanga Rashidi, 18; and a minor who is being tried as an adult, Ulimwengu Lupango, 16. They all appeared before 4th Judicial District Judge Michael Reardon with their defense attorneys.
The suspects are accused of vaginally raping an 18-year-old woman in a parked car on Feb. 7, according to court records. All are charged with felony rape and were indicted by a grand jury.
Iyombelo is accused of reaching out to the alleged victim via social media to “hang out,” and sex was never discussed, according to prosecutors. The woman consented to sex with Iyombelo initially, but then said no three times, authorities previously said. The other men are accused of putting something over her face and then taking turns raping her.
The defendants did not speak on Tuesday and the judge scheduled a trial to begin Aug. 19.
All of the attorneys for the suspects requested a reduction in bond for their clients, saying $250,000 was unnecessarily high. None of the suspects except for Lupango has a criminal history. Elias Lupango was charged with misdemeanor theft by willful concealment last year, but the case was dismissed in June.
Attorneys argued that the suspects have nowhere to go if they post bond, and their families live in Boise. Three of the suspects were enrolled in public high schools before their arrests.
Reardon declined to reduce bond, noting that all four suspects are refugees in the United States on Green Cards. They came to Idaho from Tanzania.
“While I understand that each of the defendants and their families are here legally, (a conviction) would put their immigration status at grave risk,” Reardon said in court.
Ultimately, Reardon said that he saw reducing bond as an unacceptable risk.
All of the defendants remain in custody at the Ada County Jail. Ulimwengu Lupango, who is a minor, has been held at the jail and his attorney, Joseph Ellsworth, said he plans to petition to have him moved to back juvenile detention due to “concerns for his safety” at an adult facility.
The court again provided the suspects with an interpreter Tuesday because their native language is not English. Their next court appearance is scheduled for 11 a.m. July 23 for a status conference.
NEED HELP?
The Faces of Hope Victim Center is available for victims in need of emergency services at 417 S. 6th St. in Boise. Victims should call 911 in emergencies or call 208-577-4400 on weekdays during business hours. Faces of Hope provides free medical care and forensic examinations for victims, as well as assistance with filing police reports and mental health care.
Survivors who may need help are also encouraged to contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673.
The Boise Women’s and Children’s Alliance can be reached locally at 208-345-7273.
This story was originally published April 2, 2019 at 12:55 PM.
