Hearing date moved for man charged in rape

Friday, January 1, 1904

photo Devontavious Bryant

A preliminary hearing scheduled Tuesday for one of two suspects in an alleged rape on Reggie White Boulevard was moved to Dec. 4 at the request of the 18-year-old defendant's appointed attorney.

Devontavious "Skeelo" Bryant faces charges of aggravated rape, robbery and assault in the Oct. 12 incident near Finley Stadium.

Bryant's attorney, Chris Dixon, asked Hamilton County Sessions Court Judge Christie Mahn Sell to pass the hearing to Dec. 4 so he could have time to speak with his client, who is being held at the Hamilton County Jail on a $450,000 bond.

A 16-year-old co-defendant has charges pending in Juvenile Court and a hearing scheduled for Nov. 13. The Chattanooga Times Free Press is not identifying the younger suspect because he is a juvenile.

Police released information about the crime in a news conference last week. A security camera filmed the woman jogging south near the stadium and two people following her on bicycles.

The woman, whose name has been withheld in accordance with Times Free Press policy regarding the identification of sex crime victims, told police that one attacker grabbed her from behind and demanded money.

She gave him an MP3 player and turned to run away when the second attacker removed a yellow jacket, wrapped it around her neck and choked her until she passed out, according to a police report.

When she revived the second attacker threatened her, saying he had a knife. Both teens raped the woman, according to the report.

Investigators found condom wrappers, the victim's panties and music player and a plastic bag holding her chewing gum at the scene.

Both teens live in College Hill Courts, which is within walking distance of the site of the rape and robbery.

Police say the 16-year-old admitted that he attacked the woman with Bryant but said that only Bryant raped her.

Contact staff writer Todd South at tsouth@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6347.