Several defendants in 22nd Judicial District Court this week pleaded guilty or expressed the intent to plead guilty. Chief Judge Douglas Walker and Judge Todd Plewe have begun scheduling June trials.
Shane Begaye, accused of robberyBegaye’s public defender in district court on Tuesday requested not guilty pleas on all counts and a jury trial.
Judge Plewe set a four-day jury trial for June 10.
A Montezuma County judge in January determined there was probable cause that Begaye committed aggravated robbery in July.
During a preliminary hearing, the victim in the case walked back a statement he made to police in July that Begaye pulled a gun on him. The victim testified in January that Begaye instead pointed his finger at him rather than a gun.
Dino Price, accused of another DUIPrice was arrested in November on suspicion of DUI. He has at least three previous DUI convictions.
His public defender requested a not guilty plea.
Judge Plewe set a three-day jury trial for June 10.
Jordan Balfour, accused of drug distributionBalfour has two pending felony drug distribution cases and one pending drug possession case, for a total of six felony charges.
She pleaded not guilty Thursday to all counts.
Judge Walker set a four-day jury trial on all three of her cases for June 3. The cases will be tried separately.
Her defense attorney said trying one of the cases might lead to a resolution in the others.
Matthew Walling pleads guilty to probation violationWalling pleaded guilty to drug possession in June 2018 and was sentenced to 24 months probation. He has since violated probation and was sentenced Thursday to two years in community corrections.
Walling wiped tears away on Thursday as his mother told the court he has been dealing with addiction for three years.
Derrick Jim, accused of drug possessionJim appeared in court for an arraignment on new drug possession and bond violation charges.
His public defender requested a plea hearing on March 7, on the same day Jim is scheduled for sentencing in two cases, one for assault and one for drug possession, and resentencing in a drug possession case in which he violated probation.
He will appear in court in four separate cases on March 7.
sdolan@the-journal.com