An Arkansas City man accused of raping and battering two elderly women waived his preliminary hearing Wednesday in Cowley County District Court in Arkansas City.
Arraignment was set for Sept. 23 for Bruce A. Hays, 41, a local mechanic. His bond was reduced from $38,500 to $20,000 and he was ordered to have no contact with the alleged victims.
Hays faces six counts of rape. He lived with the women for a time during 2007 and then moved down the street. The offenses allegedly occurred between Sept. 2, 2007 and July 28, 2008.
The woman did not report the incidents until shortly before Hays was arrested.
A preliminary hearing is available to a person charged with a felony to determine if there is enough evidence to hold the person for trial. The arraignment is a proceeding in a felony case in which a defendant is brought before the court to answer to a criminal charge.
The charge is read to the defendant who has an opportunity to respond to the accusations.
