Wilmington-resident Marc Champagne is
set to stand trial for rape and assault after accidentally shooting
himself and a woman he was allegedly attacking.
The
sex began consensually, according to court documents. Champagne, 27,
and his victim, who court records described as a friend, had settled
onto an air mattress in the living room of his North Market Street
apartment downtown after a home-cooked meal the night of Jan. 24.
As they had sex, Champagne became "physically violent" and choked the woman, according to her statements to police.
After
she spurned his attempt at non-vaginal sex, Champagne retrieved a
handgun from the kitchen cabinet, according to an affidavit of probable
cause outlining evidence to warrant his arrest.
He
unloaded the magazine from the handgun, placed the clip on the counter
and returned to the mattress with the gun where the woman was on her
back, the victim told police.
He held her down with
his left hand and placed the gun in her face, across her chest and
between her legs while she commanded him to stop, according to the
affidavit. As she struggled to distance herself, he placed the gun
barrel in her mouth and told her to "suck it," she told police.
She
demanded Champagne stop several times as they struggled over the gun,
the affidavit states. As the woman tried to free herself from her
attacker's "choking grip," she reached for the gun, heard a loud bang
and immediately felt a pain in her stomach, she told police.
She
was hospitalized for a gunshot wound to her abdomen and survived. The
shot also hit a finger on Champagne's left hand, court documents state.
After the shooting, police described it as "accidental" but withheld
details and did not publicize Champagne's arrest.
Champagne
told the woman to lie to police and tell investigators that she was
"messing" with the gun when it slipped from her hands and discharged,
the affidavit states.
Champagne was
arrested shortly after. He was indicted on charges including rape and
assault in April. He was reindicted in September after contacting the
victim in violation of his bond conditions, court documents indicate.
In
all, he has pleaded not guilty to first-degree rape, first-degree
assault, strangulation, aggravated menacing, reckless endangering, bond
violation, intimidation and felony firearms charges.
Earlier
this month, he rejected a plea offer from prosecutors. His public
defender was not immediately available for comment. The Department of
Justice declined comment.
His trial is scheduled for Jan. 9 in New Castle County Superior Court.
Published on: Delaware Online
Contact Xerxes Wilson at (302) 324-2787 or xwilson@delawareonline.com. Follow @Ber_Xerxes on Twitter.
Comments
Post a Comment