Rape suspect gains new attorney

The man accused of raping a young woman on the rail trail in Hopkinsville in July of last year now has a new attorney.

Jason Morse, who is charged with first-degree rape, first-degree strangulation and tampering with evidence, will now be represented by defense attorney Jarrod Jackson, who informed the Christian Circuit Court Wednesday that he will need more time to go over the evidence in this case.

Judge Andrew Self set a pretrial hearing for May 31.

As previously reported, Hopkinsville police say the victim had been walking with earbuds in listening to music when Morse allegedly grabbed her from behind in the area of the 3700 block of Bahama Drive. He allegedly raped, choked and threatened to kill the victim and then fled the area on foot.

Morse allegedly destroyed evidence after he was informed by a friend that the police were wanting to talk to him about an incident on the rail-trail.