By Michael Copley
Staff Writer

A Powhatan grand jury has charged John B. Royal, III with rape.

Royal, 41, is accused of raping a 23-year-old woman January 2 inside his home on Judes Ferry Road.

According to evidence presented during a hearing in the District Court in March, the two had been romantically involved for about a month before the alleged rape. 

A witness for the defense- a man who claims to have participated in what transpired January 2- testified in March that sexual intercourse was consensual.

District Court Judge Paul Cella certified the case to the grand jury, based, he said, on the woman’s testimony.

The grand jury indictment was based on evidence presented by Detective Jason Tackett.

The case is scheduled to be tried June 10 in the Circuit Court.