Plea talks underway in case

SANDPOINT — Plea negotiations are underway in a felony battery case, 1st District Court records show.

The state and the defense filed a joint motion Tuesday to push back a pretrial conference and a jury trial in the case against Caitlyn Grace Haskins, who is accused of attacking another teenager with a baseball bat at City Beach on July 2.

Haskins’ counsel, Coeur d’Alene attorney Joseph Sullivan, moved to postpone the proceedings due to “ongoing negotiations for a resolution and further investigation of this matter.” Bonner County Senior Deputy Prosecutor Dan Rodriguez stipulated to the motion.

Haskins, 18, was scheduled to be tried on a charge of aggravated battery next month. She pleaded not guilty to the offense, which is punishable by up to 15 years in prison.

Haskins’ jury trial was reset for Jan. 14, 2020, court records show. She is free on a $50,000 surety bond while the case is pending.

The alleged victim told Sandpoint Police that Haskins and a 17-year-old whose name is redacted in court records approached as she exited her vehicle. The 17-year-old allegedly struck her in the face and threw her to the ground, according to a probable cause affidavit.

While the teen was down, Haskins struck her in the head with the bat, the affidavit alleges.

Haskins denied wielding a bat during the confrontation, but did admit to striking her in the face with her fist, according to court documents.

Haskins’ supporters, meanwhile, point to social media postings in which the 17-year-old appears to admit beating up the teen.

Charging documents alternately accuses Haskins of using a deadly weapon during the battery and/or causing great bodily harm or disfigurement.

The 17-year-old is reportedly charged with misdemeanor battery, although the case is being adjudicated behind closed doors because she is a minor.

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