Bench warrant issued for kidnapping suspect
A Fayette County judge has issued a bench warrant for a Uniontown man accused of kidnapping and raping a woman because the man did not show up for his scheduled criminal trial.
Howard Leslie Layhue II, 35, was to face trial on charges of rape, kidnapping, terroristic threats, unlawful restraint, reckless endangerment, prohibited offensive weapons and criminal mischief this week.
He was free on $100,000 bond.
Layhue allegedly kidnapped the Fairchance woman on Oct. 2, 2009, as she dropped off her child at school in Georges Township by pounding on her car window with a sawed-off shotgun until it broke, and ordering her into the passenger’s seat.
State police Trooper John F. Marshall alleged that Layhue drove the woman to Quebec Run Road in Wharton Township, where he reportedly told her that he had two bullets for the shotgun.
At some point, police also allege that Layhue raped the woman.
He fled into the woods when police arrived at the scene, leaving the shotgun there, authorities have said.
Layhue remained at large until Nov. 10, 2009, when he was captured in South Union Township.
Judge Ralph C. Warman issued the warrant on Tuesday.