Family asks judge to keep man accused of raping, killing hotel owner in jail

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — A man accused in a "hideous" rape and homicide pleaded not guilty in court Wednesday.

Arthur Scott Jr. was indicted Monday on charges of aggravated murder, aggravated burglary, kidnapping, rape, and strangulation.

He's accused of killing 61-year-old Li-Chu Lin in a hotel in north Columbus on April 26. Scott was arrested the next day.

During his arraignment Wednesday, the judge announced that the family has filed a request for 'no bond' in the case.

Scott, who appeared at the hearing via video call from Jackson Pike, will now await a new bond hearing where the family is expected to speak.

The husband said the request is not only to get justice for his wife but also to protect other citizens from future attacks.

Li-Chu Lin and her husband own the hotel on Zumstein Drive.

At his initial arraignment in municipal court on April 30, investigators said video captured Scott checking doors to hotel rooms, looking for one that would be unlocked.

The video showed Scott entering a room, and Lin went inside not long after. Court records accuse Scott of physically assaulting Lin several times, and investigators said she also had been sexually assaulted.

"I have to say, in my period on the bench, I don't think I've ever seen anything this hideous," the municipal court judge said during Scott's first court appearance last week.

Audio from a 911 call also was released in the case.

"My aunt died," a loved one told dispatchers, "I don't know, I think someone hit her; I need help, please!"

During that initial court appearance, Lin's husband told the judge Scott took away his family's American dream.

"There is no bond high enough," her husband said. "We need to protect our citizens."

Lin's husband added that they came to the United States for a better life, but it was taken away in an instant.

ABC 6 reporter Karli VanCleave talked with Lin's family ahead of the hearing, Wednesday. The husband said he was too emotional to go on camera with us, but when he has the strength, he would like to share Lin's story.

He said his wife was his anchor, and the ruthless attack stripped away the family's future.