Posted: 9/27/05
Trial date for Schutte October 13
The trial date for James Dean Schutte, 24, Rochester, has been set for October 13 at 1 p.m.
Schutte, formerly of Caledonia, pled not guilty on August 29 to four counts of criminal vehicular operation resulting in death. He was the driver of a Pontiac Grand Prix that crashed into a tree on Green Acres Road in Caledonia on April 6, killing Matthew J. Atkinson, 20, of Backus, Minnesota.
He also faces four counts of criminal vehicular operation resulting in substantial bodily harm and one count of driving after revocation. Another passenger, Kelly Jo Shefelbine, 34, of Rochester, who was in the front seat, had a back injury and two ribs broken.
Schutte is currently in the Goodhue County Jail in Red Wing because the Houston County Jail is at capacity. His bail is $50,000 conditional and $100,000 unconditional.
Taylor requests public defender
In other court news, Jack David Taylor, 20, of Caledonia was assigned Karen Sonneman of Rochester as his public defender after making that request in court on September 14. He appeared in court on September 26. Information on that appearance was not available when this newspaper went to press.
Taylor was charged on September 2 with two counts of assault in the fifth degree and one count of false imprisonment, all felonies. His bail was set at $20,000 unconditional and $10,000 conditional. He is in the Goodhue County Jail in Red Wing.
Taylor is accused of hitting a 14-year-old boy at Taylorís house on August 27. The boy told police that he had been punched with a closed fist and thrown to the ground. He said he was dragged into the kitchen and thrown against a refrigerator, then thrown into the cellar and locked up for 5-10 minutes. Taylor told police that he hit the boy no more than two times. He said he was unsure of the details because he had been drinking.
The boy told police that another juvenile also assaulted him. That investigation is continuing, and the juvenile may be charged, county attorney Rick Jackson said on September 20.
Taylor was found guilty of fifth degree assault as a juvenile on April 1, 2003, and of terroristic threats on July 25, 2005.
Hearing continued again for Nierling
An omnibus hearing for Charles R. Nierling, 30, that had been set for September 21 was continued to September 27 at 9:30 a.m. It is the second continuance in the case.
Nierling is accused of raping a woman at her boyfriendís house in Eitzen in the early morning hours of May 17. He is now out on bail.
Third degree criminal sexual conduct carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and $30,000 fine. Fourth degree criminal sexual conduct carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine.
Caledonia Argus
314 West Lincoln St.
P.O. Box 227
Caledonia, MN 55921-0227
507/724-3475
E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com