Man accused of raping Lyft driver in Del City will go to jury trial

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – The man accused of raping a metro Lyft driver in Del City will have his trial heard before a jury.

Andre Hunter made an appearance before Judge Heather Coyle on Wednesday at the Oklahoma County Courthouse. He was expected to enter a blind plea but in the final hours changed his mind.

Hunter's attorney told the judge he wanted the case to go to a jury trial, which would prolong the case until August 25.

The victim was surrounded by loved ones and was expected to make a statement during Wednesday’s hearing.

"It's not only frustrating for our office, but it's also very frustrating for the victim once again," said Vicki Behenna, Oklahoma County District Attorney.

Hunter was arrested April 22, 2024, after Del City Police said he kidnapped and raped a 54-year-old Lyft driver. He reportedly told the woman he would shoot her if she did not comply with his demands. Hunter forced the driver to take him to a nearby park where he allegedly raped her.

He then abandoned her in a northeast Oklahoma City neighborhood before stealing her car and phone. He was later arrested at Langston University after an app on the driver’s phone helped to track him down.

Oklahoma County Assistant District Attorney Caitlin Watkins will represent the State at trial. She said the victim was extremely upset about the last-minute decision.

"She's trying to heal and move forward from it,” said Watkins. “To have to keep going back and talking about it and then finally think you're going to be over, now you're going to actually talk about this in front of a judge and a bunch of strangers."

Hunter has been locked up in the Oklahoma County Detention Center on a $1 million bond. Attorneys will have a status conference on the case in July.