18-year-old accuses 2 of rape in testimony

By Brian Lazenby

Staff Writer

An 18-year-old mentally disabled woman testified Wednesday in Hamilton County General Sessions Court that two men took her to a secluded spot where they raped her multiple times after swimming together in a "blue hole" near Soddy-Daisy.

The woman, who is not identified here according to Chattanooga Times Free Press policy, testified that Justin Lynn Conner, 21, and Matthew Gregory Scott, 23, took turns raping her and raped her simultaneously on June 20 near a popular swimming hole at 300 Montlake Road, according to testimony.

"I was crying, telling them to stop," said the woman, who said she is mentally disabled from fetal alcohol syndrome.

Mr. Conner and Mr. Scott each are charged with two counts of aggravated rape and one count of aggravated sexual battery. They are being held in the Hamilton County jail on $300,000 bond.

Defense lawyer Lee Ortwein, who represents Mr. Conner, urged the public not to rush to judgment until all the evidence surfaces.

"This was a preliminary step," he said after the probable cause hearing on Wednesday. "We don't need to rush to judgment on this case. That's why we have jury trials."

Judge David Bales bound the charges to a Hamilton County grand jury.

Defense lawyer Mike Little, who represents Mr. Scott, said the evidence heard during the hearing was extremely limited.

"All the evidence was not put out today," he said. "I wanted to put on a witness and was prevented from doing that. We look forward to trying the issues fully when it gets to Criminal Court."

Detective Robert Starnes, an investigator with the sheriff's office, testified that both defendants initially said the sex was consensual, but when he attempted to tape record their statements, Mr. Conner then denied having sex with her and requested a lawyer.

The woman, who lives in another state but was here visiting an aunt, testified that she was home alone when the two men arrived to repair an air conditioner.

They picked her up later and took her swimming after buying her a six-pack of Smirnoff wine coolers, according to her testimony.

While walking back to their vehicle, they stopped to rest and Mr. Conner dragged her behind a large rock and raped her, she said. Mr. Scott then joined Mr. Conner, and they continued raping her, according to her testimony.

The woman admitted that she held hands with both defendants and kissed Mr. Scott, but she said the sex was not consensual.

The woman testified that when she got back to her aunt's house, she realized she was bleeding.

Authorities took her to a rape crisis center where she was examined and treated, according to testimony.

E-mail Brian Lazenby at blazenby@timesfreepress.com