Sikeston teenager accused of rape of 80-year-old waives preliminary hearing

A Sikeston, Mo., teenager accused in the home invasion and rape of an 80-year-old Cape Girardeau woman waived his right to a preliminary hearing today before Circuit Judge Gary Kamp in Cape Girardeau County.

West faces charges of rape, attempted forcible sodomy, theft of a credit device and burglary after he allegedly forced his way into the woman's south Cape Girardeau home and raped her on Nov. 30.

By waving his right to a preliminary hearing, West and his legal representation skipped the step of having the prosecution present evidence to convince a judge that enough evidence against West exists to warrant a trial.

Check back at semissourian.com later today for more on this story.