In a packed courtroom Tuesday, a judge set bail at $1 million bail for two men charged with the brutal rapes of two women in Mission Beach during a home invasion robbery.
Willie Louis Watkins, 30, and Donald Dunate Smith, 19, both pleaded not guilty to many charges that could get Smith a prison term of 300 years and Watkins a sentence of 125 years in prison if they are convicted and get consecutive terms.
Along with Watkins and Smith, San Diego police offices have also arrested two minors allegedly connected to the Oct. 15 attack. A third adult, Antonio Washington, 18, turned himself into police in Glendale, Ariz., and is waiting to be transported to San Diego to be arraigned.
Following the attack of four University of San Diego students, two 19-year-old men and two 18-year-old women, Assistant Chief of Police Bill Maheu pledged at a community meeting the day after the attacks that police would dedicate all resources to capturing the suspects.
The fist suspect, a 17 year old, was arrested four days after the attack. He is being charged with seven counts of armed robbery. Police arrested Watkins and Smith the next day. A second juvenile was arrested Monday, Oct. 23 and will also be charged with robbery.
At Tuesday’s arraignment, Smith was accused of raping both 18-year-old women, and Watkins was charged with committing the sex offenses "in concert." That means Watkins may have been present when the women were sexually assaulted, but may not have actually committed the sex acts himself, which is why his potential sentence is less than Smith.
Deputy District Attorney Patrick Espinoza told San Diego Superior Court Judge David Szumowski the men committed "unspeakable acts" against both women in the early morning hours of Oct. 15.
Both men are charged with two kidnapping counts in which the rapists initially tried to abduct both women, but they changed their minds after seeing a San Diego Police patrol car drive by. Both men are also charged with four counts of robbery.
The kidnapping for robbery charges carry life sentences. The men could get 75 years if convicted just on one rape charge under the state’s "one strike" rape law, according to the District Attorney’s office.
Smith is accused of six counts of rape, six counts of forcible oral copulation, and one sodomy charge. Watkins has been charged with two rape in concert counts, two counts of oral copulation in concert, and one sodomy in concert charge.
A preliminary hearing was set for Nov. 6, but it probably will be delayed until after the arrival of a third man, Antonio Washington, 18, who has been arrested in Arizona. Washington is also charged with 13 sex charges, four robberies, and two kidnap for robbery counts. A status hearing was set for Oct. 31.
Watkins’ attorney told the judge his client acted as a caretaker for his ailing mother. He does masonry work and has no prior record, his attorney said. Smith’s attorney said Smith lives with his mother and sister, who both attended the arraignment.