A 55-year-old Durham man is back in jail without bail after additional charges were filed in a case alleging he punched, strangled, burned and threatened to kill his girlfriend. The case now includes nine charges, including first-degree forcible rape.
Hammond was initially arrested last Tuesday on six charges and later re-arrested after Durham police filed three more charges Monday, including the rape charge, according to The News & Observer. Court records cited in the report show he previously posted a $10,000 secured bond, but he remained jailed without bail Wednesday morning.
The Durham County Sheriff’s Office inmate listing, updated Tuesday evening, shows Hammond incarcerated on charges of first-degree forcible sex offense, first-degree forcible rape and first-degree kidnapping. The listing shows no bond and identifies the case under court docket 26CR367347.
Warrants Describe Alleged Beating And Sexual Assault
Arrest warrants allege Hammond punched and strangled his girlfriend, burned her with cigarettes and threatened to kill her. The warrants also accuse him of raping her, with the allegations summarized by The News & Observer.
The report also says Hammond pleaded guilty in 2013 to assault by pointing a gun and received one year and six months of supervised probation. The current allegations have not been tested at trial, and Hammond is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
What The Charges Mean Under North Carolina Law
North Carolina law defines first-degree forcible rape as vaginal intercourse by force and against the victim’s will involving a dangerous weapon, serious personal injury or an accomplice; the offense is a Class B1 felony under state statute. First-degree forcible sexual offense is also classified as a Class B1 felony when the alleged sexual act involves force and one of those aggravating factors, according to the North Carolina General Assembly.
State law separately provides that an assault causing physical injury by strangulation is a Class H felony unless another law carries a greater punishment. The case remains in its early stages, with the additional charges now moving through Durham County court.
