Mar 23, 2007 1:10 pm US/Central
Bond Denied For Man Accused Of Killing Model
Lauren Kiefer Was Found Dead At Her West Suburban Home Last Christmas
WHEATON, Ill. (CBS) ―
The man accused of killing a suburban model on Christmas Day of last year will remain behind bars after his bond was denied.
A judge denied bond for Robert Rejda, 25, who has been charged with killing Lauren Kiefer, 24, at her home in unincorporated Oakbrook Terrace.
Rejda has been in custody since Jan. 11 for unrelated drug charges and also for another alleged home invasion and rape in Aurora last October.
On Thursday, DuPage County State's Attorney Joseph Birkett said Rejda lived less than a mile from Kiefer, 24, and had known her since grade school.
Birkett said Rejda targeted her home to rob it on Christmas Day and when Kiefer came home, Rejda allegedly viciously attacked her.
"It's alleged that during the course of those ensuing minutes, the defendant repeatedly beat Lauren with a baseball bat, crushing her skull and severely injuring other parts of her body and in the course of that attack he also sexually assaulted her," Birkett said.
Birkett says Rejda he targeted the home, but would not say if he targeted Kiefer.
Kiefer's family was at the news conference Thursday where charges against Rejda were announced. Kiefer's mother discovered her body in the home. Her father spoke, thanking investigators and stating his desire that the suspect get the death penalty if convicted.
"We can only pray that the DuPage County prosecutors will follow in their footsteps and bring an end to this individual's life," said Nick Kiefer.
Prosecutors also would not elaborate on any evidence linking Rejda to the crime – but suggested his arrest in another case helped them crack this one.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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