NORWICH – A Columbus man indicted for rape turned down a plea bargain that would have let him walk out of the courtroom a free man. He will instead take his chances with a jury of his peers, risking up to 25 years in state prison.

Lance Jeff Mills, 48, Columbus, has been sitting in the county jail for the last 11 months on $50,000 bail waiting for his day in court.

Mills’ primary public defender, Alan Gordon, fell ill and the court was forced to reschedule his trial which was supposed to begin this afternoon.

Mills appeared in court with a temporary attorney from the Public Defender’s Office, John D. Cameron.

Cameron explained his client’s position regarding a plea deal offered by the DA. Cameron explained the top charge of first degree rape and all other charges would be satisfied if Mills pleaded guilty to third degree assault and accepted a three-year order of protection to stay away from the victim.