Rock, paper, scissors, rock
An amateur mechanic at an area mobile home park required surgery after an unprovoked rock attack.
Last week, Christopher Bryan, 28, of Cortez, pleaded guilty to felony menacing in connection to an assault on Dec. 28, 2014. After a physical confrontation, police said Bryan reportedly threw a “fist-sized” rock, striking the 43-year-old victim in the elbow. The injury required surgery, court records reveal.
When sentenced in May, Bryan is likely to be placed on probation as part of a plea deal.
‘Duster’ pleads guilty in collision
Last week, Keaeira Cuthair, 19, of Towaoc, pleaded guilty last week to felony vehicular assault and misdemeanor DUI and child abuse charges after rear-ending a vehicle near Main and Chestnut streets on Sept. 4, 2014.
Police said Cuthair was sniffing a compressed gas containing Difluoroethane – an ingredient used in refrigerants – when she passed out at the wheel. A passenger in her vehicle had two teeth knocked out, and victims in the other car suffered minor injuries. A 6-month old infant was also inside Cuthair’s vehicle.
At sentencing in May, Cuthair is likely to be sentenced to drug court as part of a deferred judgment plea deal.
After previously failing to appear, Cuthair had remained in custody with a $3,000 bond since turning herself in on Jan. 26. At her hearing last week, she was released on her own recognizance with stipulations that she submit to drug testing three times a week and wear a monitoring device.
Rape suspect withdraws plea
A Cortez man withdrew his guilty plea last week after prosecutors said the victim was reluctant to testify.
Zamir Young, 23, pleaded guilty to attempted sexual assault in a deal that would likely have resulted in five years’ probation. After withdrawing his plea, the defendant requested a trial continuance.
The court rejected the defense request, saying the charges had been pending since August.
Young was arrested after he allegedly raped a woman in a field next to the Calkins Building on Aug. 8. The victim told police she was shoved to the ground, placed in a choke hold and then raped after drinking with the suspect at a local bar.
Trial dates set in two thefts
Zachary Bane, 28, of Cortez, pleaded not guilty last week to a theft charge. The trial, expected to last four days, was set for Aug. 17.
The charge stems from a series of incidents that occurred during a six-month span in 2013. The suspect is accused of stealing $20,000 to $100,000 from the Sears Store on Main Street.
In an unrelated case, James Taylor, 64, of Cortez recently pleaded not guilty to second-degree burglary and theft charges. The trial, expected to last three days, was set for July 13.
The charges stem from an incident in which insulation, ceiling tiles and a counter top were stolen from abandoned home on County Road 26 on Sept. 19. Surveillance photos reportedly captured the alleged crimes.
tbaker@cortezjournal.com