Negotiations continue in rape case

SANDPOINT — Negotiations are continuing in the case of a Sandpoint man accused of rape.

Paul Anthony Staffiero waived his right to a preliminary hearing Wednesday.

“There’s an offer from the state we’d like to keep open,” Staffiero’s defense counsel, Michael Waldrup, said in explaining his client’s waiver.

Waldrup said the negotiations involve the possibility of reducing the rape charge to aggravated assault, but the talks are still ongoing.

Judge Justin Julian accepted Staffiero’s waiver and bound him over to 1st District Court to be arraigned next month. Staffiero is free on $25,000 bail while the case is pending.

Staffiero, 31, is charged with raping the 38-year-old woman at a Sandpoint residence on Nov. 15, 2009.