Justin King.jpg

Justin A. King, one of four suspects in the October 2012 rape of a female student at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, appears in Hampshire Superior Court in Northampton in December.

(Republican file photo)

NORTHAMPTON - One of four Pittsfield men charged with raping a University of Massachusetts student asked a Hampshire Superior Court judge Wednesday to lower his bail.

Justin A. King had posted bail at $10,000, which was provided by his grandfather.

King, Adam T. Liccardi and Emmanuel Toffee Bile, all 18 at the time of the incident, and Caleb Womack, who was 17, each face three counts of aggravated rape in connection with the 18-year-old student. According to prosecutors, the four men went to UMass on Oct. 13 to visit the woman against her wishes and raped her in her dorm room while she phased in and out of consciousness after consuming alcohol.

Liccardi faces an additional charge of rape that allegedly took place after the others left the room. All four have pleaded innocent.

Defense lawyer Terence Dunphy told Judge Richard Carey that the Northwestern District Attorney's Office asked for $2,500 cash bail when his client was originally arraigned in Eastern Hampshire District Court in October 2012. Dunphy said King's grandfather borrowed money on a credit card to pay the $10,000 bail that was subsequently set and faces steep interest payments.

"It's become somewhat of a burden for the family," said Dunphy, predicting the case will go on another 9 to 12 months.

Prosecutor Jennifer Suhl opposed the bail reduction, noting that the District Court Judge Mary Hurley set bail at $10,000 when King was charged with the lesser count of rape. The current charge of aggravated rape carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.

A judge has already lowered the bail for Liccardi from $10,000 to $2,500 cash. However, another judge declined a similar request to reduce bail for Womack. Bile's bail is set at $3,500.

Carey said he will take King's request under advisement.