Man accused of rape also facing tough, new sex offender legislation
NORWICH – An accused rapist appeared in county court Friday, one of the first in the area to answer to a new sex offender law.
Lance J. Mills, no age given, Columbus, is charged with first degree rape (B Felony) and predatory sexual assault (A-II Felony).
Mills, who is a registered sex offender, is among the first in the state and the first in Chenango County to face a tough new law aimed at severely punishing violent repeat sexual offenders, said Assistant District Attorney Stephen Dunshee.
Mills is a registered sex offender with a prior conviction of first degree sexual abuse in 1997. The predatory sexual assault charge is the result of that prior conviction. Mills, if convicted of the latest charges, could spend the rest of his life in prison.
In a prior felony hearing held out of the Town of Norwich Court, prosecutors called two witnesses, one of whom was the victim herself and the other was New York State Police Investigator Jamie Bell. Mills’ defense attorney at the time, James G. Cushman, called no witnesses. The court ruled there was enough evidence to hand Mills over for grand jury indictment.
Mills’ Public Defender Alan Gordon asked for bail to be reconsidered. Mills was being held on $500,000 prior to the hearing. District Attorney Joseph McBride said, “Due to the seriousness of the predatory sex charge which is an A-II felony, the people would at least ask for bail be set at 500,000.”
Mills was remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility and is being held in lieu of 50,000 cash bail.
“My client has no money. $50,000 might as well be a million,” said Gordon.
Lance J. Mills, no age given, Columbus, is charged with first degree rape (B Felony) and predatory sexual assault (A-II Felony).
Mills, who is a registered sex offender, is among the first in the state and the first in Chenango County to face a tough new law aimed at severely punishing violent repeat sexual offenders, said Assistant District Attorney Stephen Dunshee.
Mills is a registered sex offender with a prior conviction of first degree sexual abuse in 1997. The predatory sexual assault charge is the result of that prior conviction. Mills, if convicted of the latest charges, could spend the rest of his life in prison.
In a prior felony hearing held out of the Town of Norwich Court, prosecutors called two witnesses, one of whom was the victim herself and the other was New York State Police Investigator Jamie Bell. Mills’ defense attorney at the time, James G. Cushman, called no witnesses. The court ruled there was enough evidence to hand Mills over for grand jury indictment.
Mills’ Public Defender Alan Gordon asked for bail to be reconsidered. Mills was being held on $500,000 prior to the hearing. District Attorney Joseph McBride said, “Due to the seriousness of the predatory sex charge which is an A-II felony, the people would at least ask for bail be set at 500,000.”
Mills was remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility and is being held in lieu of 50,000 cash bail.
“My client has no money. $50,000 might as well be a million,” said Gordon.
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