Tim Scannell trial update

Tim Scannell, prosecutor and prosecuted for sex crimes with underage girls in northeastern Minnesota, has had his next court date postponed to March 27th.

We have written previously about the culture of conservatives, guns, and sex with young girls here.

Per the Cook County News Herald earlier this month:

County attorney’s criminal sexual conduct case hearing postponed until March

Cook County Attorney Tim Scannell, indicted on two counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct by a Duluth area grand jury on October 22, 2013, was scheduled to appear before Judge Shaun Floerke in St. Louis County on Friday, January 24, 2014. However, with consent of attorneys on both sides, the omnibus hearing was postponed until 1 p.m. on Thursday, March 27.
The purpose of the omnibus hearing is to allow the judge time to consider what evidence can be used at trial. If there is no disagreement on what evidence will be admitted and if probable cause is not contested, the case is set for a jury trial. Plea petitions are sometimes entered at the omnibus hearing and sometimes settlements in the case are reached. However, if there is a disagreement on evidence, a contested omnibus hearing is scheduled.
According to Special Prosecutor Thomas Heffelfinger, that is the case. Reached at his office on January 28, Heffelfinger said the hearing that was cancelled was primarily a “status conference.” He said no motions had been filed, so it was not a contested hearing.
“It is now scheduled as a contested hearing, so I anticipate motions will be filed. At that hearing, we will argue those motions,” said Heffelfinger, adding that he did not expect witnesses to be called.
“It will probably be just lawyers arguing. We’re scheduled for a couple of hours, if needed,” said Heffelfinger.
Heffelfinger said such delays are not unusual. “There are some things that are unique about this case—the use of the grand jury and the change of venue to St. Louis County—but it’s not unusual for a hearing to be four months out from the grand jury.”