Rinelle Harper case: Two men charged with attempted murder

Two men have been charged with attempted murder in the serious assault and dumping in the river of a 16-year-old girl last Friday.

Justin James Hudson, 20, and a 17-year-old male were arrested on Nov. 11, and charged with attempted murder, aggravated sexual assault, and sexual assault with a weapon.

Rinelle Harper was found lying next to the freezing waters of the Assiniboine River on Saturday November 8th after she was allegedly attacked and then sexually assaulted by two male suspects.

According to Winnipeg police Harper became separated from her friends when two males approached her and struck up a conversation. They then made their way to the Mid-Town Bridge when the men attacked Harper, physically assaulting her to both the upper and lower body.

The teen somehow ended up in the Assiniboine River and was able to exit it a short distance later. Police say the suspects then allegedly attacked Harper with a weapon a second time before fleeing the area..

It wasn’t until 7 a.m. when a passerby found Harper and called for help. She was transported to hospital in critical condition.

Investigation revealed that on the same night, the suspects allegedly attacked a second woman a short time later. According to police the woman was allegedly assaulted with a weapon to the upper body and a serious sexual assault also occurred.

The investigation into both attacks continues.

Agencies/Canadajournal