Crosswalk trial is postponed

SANDPOINT — A city official accused of angrily confronting a Sandpoint family in a Fifth Avenue crosswalk after nearly hitting them with his vehicle is now scheduled to be early tried next year.

Chester Ferne Jackman's court trial on a crosswalk infraction was set for Wednesday, but was postponed because he just retained a defense attorney, court records indicate. Coeur d'Alene attorney Clark Peterson filed notice Wednesday that he intends to represent Jackman.

Jackman's bench trial is now planned for Feb. 1, 2008. Judge Quentin F. Harden is scheduled to decide the case.

Jackman, a 46-year-old Sagle resident, is charged with failing to yield to persons using a crosswalk, an infraction. Jackman pleaded not guilty to the charge.

A Sandpoint couple claims Jackman, a street supervisor, almost collided with them as they crossed Fifth on bicycles at Cedar Street on Sept. 20. The couple, which had their 2-year-old daughter in tow, further accuses Jackman of exiting his rig and yelling obscenities at them in a dispute over who had the right of way.

Jackman and city officials have declined to comment on the case.