SCHENECTADY — Prosecutors are seeking an attempted murder indictment against an Albany man accused of holding three women against their will and trying to rape one of them.

Prosecutors made the accusations in a bail hearing Wednesday morning in Schenectady County Court for Joseph H. Kruppenbacher. They are also seeking top-level kidnapping counts.

Kruppenbacher’s attorney, Terence Kindlon, accused the alleged victims of being prostitutes, saying later that he believes that brings with it credibility issues.

“I don’t mean to sound disrespectful,” Kindlon told County Judge Karen Drago, “but the fact is the attempted rape count may arise over what could be described as a contract dispute.”

Schenectady County District Attorney Robert Carney did not dispute that characterization later but said that doesn’t mean the women aren’t victims.

“I can’t believe that he would think that if somebody is a prostitute it would mean it’s open season on them,” Carney said.

Kruppenbacher, 62, of 15 Besch Ave., Albany, was charged earlier this month with three counts of first-degree false imprisonment and one count of first-degree attempted rape, all felonies.

He is accused of picking up three women in Schenectady since January, taking each to Rotterdam and refusing to let them leave his vehicle, police said.

The women were allegedly held Jan. 13, Feb. 5 and April 29. One woman said she fled by jumping out of his moving vehicle. Another said she fled when the car was stopped. In the final incident, the woman reported she was tied up and that Kruppenbacher attempted to rape her.

Wednesday’s hearing was for Kindlon to argue for a bail reduction. Rotterdam Town Court set bail at $100,000.

Kindlon called the bail amount grossly excessive. He argued that Kruppenbacher is a 62-year-old Vietnam veteran with no criminal history. He owns property in Albany and is a top-level chess player. He is not a flight risk, Kindlon said.

Kruppenbacher’s wife attended Wednesday’s hearing.

Kindlon also alleged that one of the alleged victims tried to steal $43 from Kruppenbacher’s pocket.

The appearance was complicated because Kruppenbacher could hardly hear. He was without his hearing aids. Kindlon attempted to repeat questions posed to him.

Prosecutor Jessica Lorusso, who appeared for the district attorney’s office, opposed Kindlon’s bail request. She said her office is seeking enhanced charges of attempted murder and kidnapping.

Neither she nor Carney would elaborate on why they believed those charges were more appropriate, citing the ongoing grand jury testimony.

In light of those accusations, Lorusso said the $100,000 bail would be too low.

Drago left bail as it was, leaving the defense the option to return to the issue later once an indictment was handed up.