RENTON, Wash. — The man accused of attacking a woman while she was jogging on a Renton trail faced a judge today.
23-year-old Thomas Elijah Moss pleaded not guilty to assault with sexual motivation, rape, and robbery -- all in the second-degree.
A friend of the victim told the court that Moss posed a “grave danger” to the community, and that the victim likely only survived the attack, because she’s physically fit.
“Although she is much smaller than the defendant, she happens to be stronger physically than the average woman,” the friend said. “This matters, because the next person Thomas Moss attacks could be weaker than he is - a child, a young adult, an older person, or anyone else weaker than he is - could result in loss of life.”
Charging documents indicate the victim was jogging on a trail on September 12, while her son was at soccer practice nearby. That’s when Moss chased her down on his bicycle, threw her to the ground, and assaulted her.
Moss ran off when a witness ran to get help.
Moss was arrested after his neighbor, in a tiny home village, called in a tip when she recognized him on surveillance images released by detectives.
He remains jailed on $1 million bail. His trial is set for November 16.