Lewd, rape cases pending

SANDPOINT — Preliminary hearings remain pending for two men accused of lewd conduct in separate cases, while a suspect in a third case has pleaded not guilty, court records show.

Defense counsel for Andrew Jesse Owens moved to reset his client’s preliminary hearing because he only recently took on the case and had scheduling conflicts. A preliminary hearing in the case of Ezra Tyrone Baker is being continued because the pretrial exchange of evidence between the state and the defense is ongoing.

Jacob Steven McKnight, meanwhile, waived his right to a preliminary hearing and has entered pleas of not guilty, clearing the way for a three-day jury trial in 1st District Court.

During a preliminary hearing, a magistrate court judge determines whether the state has sufficient evidence to justify a trial in district court.

Owens, 27, is accused fondling the genitals of 5- and 7-year-old minors on Nov. 22, resulting in two charges of lewd and lascivious conduct with a minor. Baker, 20, is accused of repeatedly sexually abusing two minors over an extended period of time which ended earlier this month, court records indicate. He so far faces charges involving one of the minors, now 14, for misconduct in September and November of this year.

McKnight, 18, allegedly physically and sexually abusing a minor over a four-year period ending in June. The alleged victim told investigators that she attempted to ward off the attacks, but she was overcome by force the affidavit said. However, the charges rape and lewd conduct charges against McKnight are confined to June of this year, according to the criminal complaint.

Keith Kinnaird can be reached by email at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow him on Twitter @KeithDailyBee.