Booking photo for Richard S. Martinez (Courtesy: Cache County Jail).
LOGAN — A trial has been scheduled for a 38-year-old North Logan man accused of multiple counts of child abuse. Richard S. Martinez was arrested more than a year ago.
Martinez appeared in 1st District Court Monday morning. He has been charged with four counts of child abuse, a second-degree felony; and one count of assault, a class B misdemeanor.
Defense attorney Kevin Vander Werff expressed frustration with the case’s delay that he claimed was because of prosecutors not being prepared. He asked the court for the three-day jury trial to be scheduled as soon as possible.
Judge Angela Fonnesbeck scheduled the trial to begin April 21. She ordered both sided to appear for a final pre-trial conference March 30.
Martinez was arrested November 2, 2018, after Cache County Sheriff’s deputies, with the assistance of the North Park Police Department, served a search warrant to a North Logan home near 2200 North 700 East.
Martinez was taken into custody without incident. The alleged victim was removed from the home by agents with the Division of Child and Family Services. The extent of her injuries have not been disclosed.
In September, Martinez waived his right to a preliminary hearing, where a judge would have determined if prosecutors have sufficient evidence to bind the defendant over on the charges. The trial has also been partially delayed while attorneys tried to work out a plea agreement.
Martinez is out of jail after posting $40,000 bond. He could face up to 15-years in prison if convicted.
will@cvradio.com