Eddie Lee Harris, the man accused of raping and beating a disabled woman at her Drummond Street home in October, will remain in the Warren County Jail without bond, a municipal court judge ruled this morning.

Harris, 28, and his cousin, Charles Michael Harris, 20, both of 1203 Second North St., appeared before Judge Toni Terrett in the courtroom at the Vicksburg Police Department. Eddie Lee Harris is accused of raping the 55-year-old woman and the burglary of her home, and Charles Michael Harris is accused of burglary.

Terrett set Charles Michael Harris’ bond at $50,000, but he was expected to remain in the Issaquena County Jail because he faced previous charges.

Eddie Lee Harris appeared in court dressed in his county-issued orange jumpsuit and a bulletproof vest.

Security appeared to be at maximum for the nearly full courtroom, where spectators reportedly included the victim’s husband and other members of her family. At least a dozen Vicksburg police officers, including Chief Walter Armstrong, were inside and outside the courtroom.

Terrett ordered the men to be held in separate facilities on the request of Assistant District Attorney Lane Campbell.

She gave each suspect a chance to speak at the bench, but neither did.

In the corridor leading to the courtroom, Charles Michael Harris spoke to members of the press.

“I didn’t do it,” he said. “Me and my cousin didn’t do nothing.” Eddie Lee Harris did not speak.

Campbell, addressing the court, asked that the suspects be held until their cases are heard by a Warren County grand jury.

“We are requesting no bond due to the gravity of his (Eddie Lee Harris’) offense and the nature of how it was carried out,” he said. There was evidence, he said, “that the crime was vindictive” and the fact that Eddie Lee Harris knows where the victim lives demands that he be held in jail.

Officials said the disabled woman, who as a victim of sexual assault is not identified publicly, was home alone when a man forced his way into the residence in the 2200 block of Drummond Street just before 7 a.m. Oct. 26. She was raped and beaten, then the attacker fled with a 32-inch Vizio TV and remote control, police said.

Armstrong said a tip from “a concerned citizen” led police to the Harris cousins on Thursday, the same day Eddie Harris was charged with three auto burglaries reported in July and August at Grand Station Casino.

Armstrong credited an increase in rewards offered by Central Mississippi Crime Stoppers and private individuals for information leading to an arrest. Crime Stoppers offered up to $2,500 and other donations rose to $2,700 in the weeks following the assault.

Since the rape was reported, police had indicated only one suspect was involved. After Charles Harris’ arrest was announced, Armstrong declined to comment on his suspected involvement.

About two weeks after the rape, Armstrong confirmed that a break-in had taken place in the garage of the home in mid-October, about 10 days before the attack. The victim’s husband had surprised and struggled with an intruder, also at about 7 a.m., and the husband’s cell phone was stolen in the encounter, Armstrong said.

A connection between the two incidents is still being investigated, the chief has said, but he confirmed that the woman reported the rapist told her, “This is payback.”

The TV has not been pawned or reported purchased, and police are requesting that anyone who has purchased a TV like it call the police department at 601-636-2511.

No other arrests are anticipated, officials said.

Charles Michael Harris had been indicted by a previous Warren County grand jury, but had failed to appear for an arraignment.