Trial date scheduled in Carlson case

SANDPOINT — A man accused of raping and killing a former Bonner County woman in California is scheduled to go on trial on April 8.

The Stockton Record reported that the defense and the prosecution agreed to Jason Ross Gilley’s trial date on Monday.

Gilley, 26, is accused of kidnapping, raping and killing Dalene Carlson in August 2011. Carlson, 23, was missing for about two months before her remains were discovered in a cornfield in Escalon, Calif.

At the time of her disappearance, Carlson had recently relocated from Bonner County back to California to enroll in school.

Carlson was last seen by her friends leaving a Stockton, Calif., pub with Gilley. The two were also spotted together on security video at a liquor store, according to published media reports.

Gilley attracted the suspicion of authorities after giving inconsistent statements to investigators her whereabouts leading up to her disappearance. A medical examiner testified at a preliminary hearing that Carlson was shot to death and ballistic evidence was linked to an antique pistol Gilley possessed.

In addition to the underlying criminal charges, Gilley faces special circumstances of kidnapping and rape, as well as firearms charges.

Gilley is pleading not guilty.