ANCHORAGE, ALASKA-At the recommendation of District Attorney Brittany Dunlop, District Court Judge Bob Linton raised the bail amount of alleged taxi rapist, Chidiebere Norman Nwokorie during his hearing this morning. His bail now stands at $50,000 with a third party custodian. Judge Linton followed Dunlop's recommendation because of the strength of the District Attorney's case.
Nwokorie’s previous bail amount was set by Magistrate James Stanley on August 21st, shortly after the incident occurred. Outcry by the public as well as by advocacy groups prompted the District Attorney’s office to seek a higher bail and more conditions to Nwokorie’s release. Chidiebere Norman Nwokorie, 43, faces charges of first-degree sexual assault, attempted first-degree sexual assault and second-degree second assault.
Chidiebere Norman Nwokorie stands accused of those charges stemming from his arrest after being identified on Ship Street by police. He allegedly picked up a woman on her way to the downtown area on Sunday, August 21st. According to reports, Nwokorie later took the woman to the Yellow Cab service area on that street and assaulted her. She escaped, grabbing her pants and Nwokorie’s cell phone and flagged down a passing motorist. That motorist, called the Anchorage Police Department. While waiting for the police, Nwokorie approached the motorist and woman. At that time the motorist retrieved a pistol from his vehicle and held Nwokorie at gunpoint until officers arrived.
After Judge Linton appointed a public defender to represent him, Nwokorie was hand-cuffed and led from the courtroom. Nwokorie’s wife and relatives attended the hearing, but declined to comment when approached after the proceedings.
