WHITE OAK, Pa. — The case against a man accused of kidnapping a McKeesport woman is moving to trial.
Monday, Marcus Render pleaded not guilty to kidnapping, terroristic threats and false imprisonment charges against him, but the judge said there is overwhelming evidence.
The victim was visibly shaken and almost in tears as she testified, saying she only went on one date with Render. She told the court he stopped by her house to show her a picture, and when she got in his car, he sped off, telling her he was going to kidnap her and keep her at his house overnight, and that she was going to have sex with him.
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The victim testified that Render first stopped at a gas station before eventually stopping at a Dollar Tree in McKeesport. She said that’s when she saw the opportunity to escape. She said she ran away, hiding behind dumpsters until police arrived.
Render was visibly upset in court, shaking his head, and keeping his body turned away from the victim. His lawyer said the victim had her cell phone with her the entire time and called a friend before ever calling police. As he was being taken back to jail, Render said he’s going to be fighting for his freedom.
“I didn’t rape this woman,” Render tells Channel 11. “I didn’t kidnap her. We had a relationship for about 12 hours prior to this. I told them to check the body cams, check everything, and now I’m being railroaded ... I never threatened this woman. This is insane. I’m on TV locally. Nobody cares about anything but themselves.”
The judge says Render is a danger to the victim and the community. He’s being held without bail.
He will be back in court on Dec. 14.
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