Pre-trial hearing held for rape, kidnapping suspect

With only a request for interview transcripts from his attorney, a Tullahoma man who faces rape and kidnapping charges briefly appeared for a pre-trial hearing on Monday.

James Lynne Stewart, 51, is scheduled to stand trial on Dec. 8 and 9 on charges of especially aggravated kidnapping, aggravated rape, aggravated assault and theft over $500 in connection with an alleged incident in 2002.

According to warrants filed in General Sessions Court, Stewart allegedly raped a woman in her vehicle on Aug. 16, 2002, in Bedford County.

The warrant read that "during this confinement, he (Stewart) did assault the victim and she did suffer serious bodily injury. Her left check was fractured and also did require three stitches and also required a stitch in her nose."

The warrant stated the victim "also had bruising, cuts and scrapes all about her head area."

The vehicle was allegedly taken from the victim in the Normandy area and found abandoned in the Bi-Lo parking lot in Tullahoma the next day by Tullahoma police, the warrants allege.

Stewart is being held at Bedford County Jail under $190,000 bond and already had 20 days in jail tacked on for contempt after making remarks and walking away from Circuit Court Judge Robert Crigler's questioning about his legal representation during his arraignment in June.

Stewart is represented by attorney Robert Marlow.