[StBernard] Hopedale man booked in rape attempt

[Westley Annis]

Hopedale man booked in rape attempt
by The Times-Picayune 
Friday July 25, 2008, 3:31 PM
A Hopedale man with a prior conviction for a sex crime was arrested Thursday
on charges of attempting to rape a Chalmette woman outside a bar, according
to the St. Bernard Sheriff's Office.

Rene Murrell, 33, allegedly attacked the woman in her car on July 20 outside
Desi's Bar on Judge Perez Drive in Chalmette. The woman was able to get
away, then told two male friends, who allegedly chased down Murrell and were
able toidentify Murrell later to detectives. The victim also identified
Murrell as her attacker, according to a release.

Murrell was booked with attempted forcible rape. 

Murrell served prison time in the 1990s for a sex offense, and is a
registered sex offender, the sheriff's office said. The Sheriff's Office
news release did not say what the offense was. 

Murrell is being held in St. Bernard Parish Prison on a $100,000 bond.