Trial date set for Uber driver accused of raping woman after SunFest

Jury trial for Gary Kitchings scheduled to begin Oct. 2

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – A trial date has been set for a former South Florida Uber driver accused of raping and threatening to kill a Jupiter woman after giving her a ride home from Sunfest.

Gary Kitchings, 57, appeared in court Friday morning as his jury trial was set for Oct. 2.

Kitchings has pleaded not guilty to charges of kidnapping, sexual battery and burglary of an occupied dwelling.

According to a Jupiter police report, the woman was taking an Uber ride home after attending SunFest in downtown West Palm Beach when her driver, later identified as Kitchings, began to flirt with her.

The woman told police that Kitchings touched her leg and tried to put his hand up her shirt, but she pushed it away and told him to stop.

Police said the woman claimed that she tried to jump out once they were off the highway, but the door was locked.

Kitchings saw her try to get away and told her that he had a gun under his seat, threatening to kill her if she didn't do what he wanted, according to the report.

The woman told police that Kitchings forced her to perform oral sex on him and told her that he was going to urinate, making her drink his urine, the report said.

When they arrived at her home, the woman got out of the car and was running to get inside, but Kitchings followed her, grabbed by the arm and pushed her into the house, the report said.

The woman screamed for help, but Kitchings closed the door and told her that he would "kill her and her dogs if she didn't shut up," the report said.

Police said the woman, believing that Kitchings had a gun under his shirt, complied with his demands, taking off her skirt and pantyhose and performing oral sex. Police said Kitchings also had sex with her without using a condom.

Before leaving, Kitchings told the woman that he would come back and kill her if she told anyone, the report said.

Police said the woman called 911 and told the dispatcher, "I've been raped." She told the dispatcher that she had locked herself in her bedroom "in case the guy comes back."

An assistant state attorney earlier this month filed a "request for disclosure of scientific materials pertaining to DNA testing" related to the case. The discovery demand seeks a copy of all standard operating protocols and records of the treatment and handling of biological evidence in the DNA testing facilities.

Kitchings remains in jail without bond.