Abuse trial is postponed

SANDPOINT — A Bonner County man’s trial on allegations that he hog-tied a 12-year-old with Asperger syndrome is being moved to this summer.

Shane Lee Crawford was to be tried this month on a charge of felony injury to a child, but the proceeding had to be postponed because of the unavailability of a state’s witness. The defense is also working to obtain personal computers that were seized via a search warrant that was issued in the case.

Crawford’s trial is set for June in 1st District Court. He has pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Crawford, a 38-year-old from Laclede, is accused of forcing the preteen to the floor with an arm bar maneuver and binding his hands and feet together in September of last year, according to court documents.

Part of the incident was captured on video by Crawford’s son. The video was apparently meant to demonstrate the difficulties Crawford faced in disciplining the child and containing his outbursts. Asperger syndrome is an autism-like development disorder.

The charge against Crawford was brought as he was awaiting sentencing in another felony child-endangerment case involving his son last June. He was accused of choking his son, but the charge was downgraded to a misdemeanor in a plea agreement with the state, court records indicate.