Recorded conversations between a woman and her alleged attacker could be subject to a hearing this month.
At a motions hearing on Monday, June 29, Chief District Court Judge Doug Walker said he didn’t want any legal issue surrounding the audio recordings to delay a jury trial when it starts on Aug. 3. The trial could last nearly two weeks.
The issue was raised by public defender Kenneth Pace, who told the court this week that the defense was concerned that the alleged victim may testify about offenses not charged in the case. Pace said those prejudicial statements from the alleged victim were contained in the audio recordings.
To remedy the situation and streamline the trial process, Walker gave District Attorney Will Furse a July 10 deadline, to decide what evidence from the taped conversations would be introduced at trial. A pretrial hearing is set for July 21.
The suspect, Allen Dietz, 56, of Dolores, is charged with multiple assault, menacing, sexual assault, false imprisonment and harassment charges. Dietz has pleaded not guilty to a total of 15 felony and misdemeanor charges.
According to court records, Dietz reportedly threatened the alleged victim with physical abuse to engage in sex throughout the couple’s three-year relationship.
tbaker@cortezjournal.com