ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, January 25, 1997 TAG: 9701270026
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-5 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: RADFORD
SOURCE: LISA K. GARCIA STAFF WRITER
A former Radford University student pleaded no contest Friday to attempted sexual battery and malicious wounding in an April attack on another student in a darkened dormitory stairwell.
Ralph W. Bundick III, 20, of Hampton, faces a maximum of 20 years in prison for malicious wounding, and up to 12 months for misdemeanor attempted sexual battery. By pleading no contest, Bundick agreed the state had sufficient evidence to convict him.
Radford Circuit Judge Duane E. Mink found Bundick guilty, but allowed him to remain free on a $10,000 bond despite arguments by the prosecutor.
Radford Commonwealth's Attorney Randal Duncan said Bundick should be held in jail until his sentencing. He said if a jury trial had been held, as originally set, Bundick probably would have gone to jail Friday.
Bundick's attorney, Michael J. Barbour, asked the court to consider that his client had no prior record and had followed all the bond requirements. He also said evidence, yet to be presented, would show Bundick was "highly intoxicated" when he attacked the victim. Barbour added that Bundick lives five hours from the victim, holds a full-time job and is in counseling.
Mink set Bundick's sentencing for April 11, almost exactly one year to the day after the attack. Bundick attacked a female student in a university dorm stairwell April 12.
During a summary of the evidence, Duncan read portions of statements given by witnesses, including the victim and Bundick.
He said Bundick was identified by several other students as the person seen running from Moffett Hall after the victim was found bleeding and crying in a darkened stairwell.
The victim told police that Bundick entered the stairwell, where the lights would not work, before her. The victim said Bundick pushed her down, beat her head into the marble steps and attempted to pull her pants off until a noise scared him and he fled.
When police arrested Bundick in his dorm room later the same night, Bundick asked officers, "Please, did I hurt someone?"
Duncan amended an attempted rape charge - a felony that carries a maximum penalty of 10 years - against Bundick because he said the evidence supported the lesser charge.
Although Bundick's sentence is up to the court, Duncan said, sentencing guidelines call for a minimum of two years and two months in prison.
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