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Trial Delayed For Man Accused Of Raping Woman Near Devil’s Den

WASHINGTON COUNTY (KFSM) – The trial was reset Wednesday for a Morrow man accused of raping a woman near Devil’s Den State Park while she was camping with her c...
William Osburne

WASHINGTON COUNTY (KFSM) – The trial was reset Wednesday for a Morrow man accused of raping a woman near Devil’s Den State Park while she was camping with her children.

William “Billy” Osburne, 39, was arrested in June on suspicion of rape and first-degree terroristic threatening. The victim told police he helped her get her horse trailer unstuck and refused to leave before raping her, according to a probable cause affidavit from the Washington County Prosecutor’s Office.

Osburne’s case was set for trial Wednesday, but a judge reset the case to give attorneys more time to prepare, according to the prosecutor’s office. The suspect pleaded not guilty in July to the two charges against him, court records show.

It is unclear whether the address listed in the probable cause affidavit is in Devil’s Den State Park, although a park representative said the incident occurred in the Ozark National Forest outside of the state park.

The probable cause report states the alleged rape occurred at Cedar Flats off of Arkansas 220 “just across the metal bridge past the horse camp.”

Osburne was released the day after his arrest from the Washington County Detention Center on $50,000 bond, according to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.

Osburne made advancements and sexual comments at the victim during the day while she was camping and said “she was going to be his fourth wife,” the affidavit states.

When the woman went to her vehicle to get something, the suspect reportedly forced her into the driver’s seat, tore her clothes off and raped her. He also touched her inappropriately several times before that, according to the report.

He also said he was going to “tear her to pieces,” the affidavit states.

There was not enough of a cellular signal to call 911, but campers did manage to get a text message out for help.

The victim was able to get away after startling Osburne by reaching up and honking her vehicle’s horn. After that, she escaped and went to the middle of the campsite and stayed with a larger group of people for protection, according to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.

Osburne fled before authorities arrived but was later arrested at his residence, the probable cause affidavit states.

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