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CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Raphael Wright, the man charged with raping and killing a woman in northwest Charlotte in June, saw his bond raised when he appeared in court Tuesday afternoon.
Judge Reggie McKnight agreed with the prosecution's argument that Wright shouldn't be allowed to be free during the trial, raising his total bond on both rape and murder charges to $850,000 total. Wright's defense attorney tried to argue he wasn't a
flight risk and that he shot the woman in self-defense, claiming she tried to rob him.
A woman who was identified as the victim's grandmother lambasted the initial $50,000 bond during her own appearance, and said she was afraid because she didn't know what Wright's intentions were for someone else.
Tuesday's hearing comes as new court documents obtained by WCNC Charlotte revealed more about what investigators say happened the night of the crime.
Wright said he found the victim on an escort website and went to a hotel to meet up with her. Wright claimed while they were together, he was attacked by someone hiding in the bathroom who was trying to take his money. Wright claimed his attacker pointed
a gun at him. He shot back, ultimately hitting the victim.
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When the woman was brought to the hospital, she told police Wright raped her. She died shortly later.
Wright was arrested in Rock Hill just a few days after the incident. He was released on a $50,000 bond the next day. That decision was criticized by numerous leaders, including Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Johnny Jennings.
"Disappointed doesn’t begin to describe how I feel in the decision to set a bond that low for a suspect charged with such serious violent felonies," Jennings said in a statement. "I have always maintained that there is no bond amount that is sufficient
for a community's peace of mind regarding their safety."
Contact Kayland Hagwood at
khagwood@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/crime/raphael-wright-murder-rape-suspect-court-appearance-updates/275-049b8a0e-ed72-4488-9f42-ebd25594e2c2
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