Trial begins for second man accused in Haskell rape case

The trial for the second of two former Haskell Indian Nations University students accused of rape began on Monday with jury selection.

The defendants, a 21-year-old man and a 20-year-old man, are accused of raping a 19-year-old fellow student on Nov. 15, 2014, in a university dormitory.

The 21-year-old suspect, whose trial began Monday, faces felony counts of aiding and abetting attempted rape and two counts of rape.

In June a trial was held for the 20-year-old suspect, who faces two felony rape charges and one felony count of aggravated criminal sodomy. However, the jury failed to reach a unanimous verdict and a mistrial was declared.

A second trial is set to begin for the 20-year-old suspect on Dec. 12.

Both men were arrested Nov. 15, 2014, and released from the Douglas County Jail after posting a $75,000 bond each. Both were expelled from the school after the incident.

Attorneys questioned a pool of prospective jurors on Monday. The trial, which is scheduled to last seven days, is set to resume at 9 a.m. Tuesday.