HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A local man charged with a single count of rape has been bound over for trial by Reno County District Judge Joe McCarville.

Christopher Snell is accused of forcing a Hutchinson woman into sex while the two were walking the pedestrian/bike trail in Carey Park back on Aug. 14, 2015.

The victim from Lyons testified that they had been friends. When he came back to Hutchinson, she wanted to meet up with him.

After she enrolled at Hutchinson Community College, they decided to visit the park. On the trail, he began to touch her inappropriately. She told him to stop twice and started to walk away. That’s when he grabbed her wrist and ripped her pants off. Snell forced her into sex while she was leaning against a pillar on the far southeast part of the park.

After this occurred, they went back to a college parking lot. She then drove back to Lyons and told her boyfriend what happened. It was then that the alleged crime was reported.

A second count of rape was dismissed this morning when a key witness in that case didn’t show up for court. However, Reno County District Attorney Keith Schroeder says they may refile the charge in the near future.

Arraignment will be May 7 in front of Reno County District Judge Trish Rose.