A circuit judge will privately review evidence in the case of a security system salesman accused of breaking into the home of a potential customer and raping her.
Judge Chet Tharpe granted a defense motion asking him to review a recording of a statement given by Rashard Hales, 19, after his arrest in late December.
Authorities have said Hales told deputies his only regret was not killing the woman.
Citing publicity surrounding the case, Hales' defense attorney, public defender Maura Doherty, asked Tharpe to review the evidence in chambers and determine whether it should be made public.
Officials said Hales was going door-to-door in northwest Hillsborough County for Secure Watch, an authorized dealer for ADT.
Hales knocked on the door of a woman's home about 5:50 p.m. Dec. 30 and tried to sell her a security system, deputies said. A few minutes after the woman turned him away, Hales returned.
When the woman tried to close the door, Hales grabbed her wrist and forced his way inside the home, deputies said.
The woman told deputies that he beat and choked her with his hands and an electrical cord. During the beating, Hales told her he should kill her, she told deputies, and then he raped her.
Along with two counts of sexual battery, Hales is charged with attempted first-degree murder, kidnapping, armed burglary with battery and witness tampering.
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