Caledonia Argus

Suspect pleads not guilty in school crash case

Posted: 12/17/02

Mark Taylor, the man charged with damaging the northwest doorway of the former high school, entered a plea of not guilty before Judge James Fabian at a hearing in the Houston County Courthouse on December 10.

Speaking on Taylorís behalf, attorney James Schulz requested a jury trial, and indicated that he will argue that Taylor is innocent by dint of intoxication.

County attorney Rick Jackson asked that Taylor provide a local address, since the only information authorities had relevant to Taylorís residence prior to December 10 was a Hawaii listing. Taylor informed the court that he currently resides in Fisher, MN.

Sentenced for bank embezzlement

Susan Schwebach, who pled guilty on August 27 to embezzling funds from Community First National Bank, was sentenced on December 10 in U.S. District Court. The terms of her sentence include 180 days of home detention, which may include electronic monitoring, and 300 hours community service.

Halverson enters guilty plea

Elsie Halverson, charged with three counts of theft by false representation, pled guilty to all three offenses on December 12. The charges stem from a series of incidents which occurred between November 2000 and August 2001 at Halversonís former employer, New Caledonia Ford. Halverson, the dealershipís bookkeeper, issued 14 unauthorized checks totalling $67,689.09.

Halverson is to make restitution of this amount before her sentencing.

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