A Sheridan woman who was scheduled to be arraigned on a number of charges Thursday in Fourth Judicial District Court, failed to appear for the hearing. A petition to revoke the bond of Savannah Schaffer
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A virtual status conference was held in Fourth Judicial District Court Thursday for Marie Franks of Sheridan, who is charged with Felony Child Abuse for an alleged incident that occurred on June 19 of last year at a residence in Sheridan. Sheridan Media’s Ron Richter has the details.
Request for New Court Appointed Attorney Denied
A request made by Franks for a new court appointed attorney was denied by the Court, as District Court Judge John Fenn said the information provided by Franks was not adequate enough to warrant a new public defender. Franks during the hearing, stated that she felt Anna Malmberg, her court appointed attorney, was not representing her properly, as she said Malmberg did not provide any type of strategy for her defense, and she felt as though her attorney was not taking her seriously.
An arraignment hearing for 58-year-old Laurie Gausvik was held Thursday in Fourth Judicial District Court in Sheridan. Gausvik pleaded “not guilty” to the charge of Felony Theft. District Court Judge John Fenn set the three day trial to begin on June 28 and scheduled a pretrial conference for May 20 at 9 am. Judge Fenn continued Gausvik’s bond under the same terms and conditions that were previously set in Circuit Court.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, Gausvik, during the months of November and December last year, made unauthorized purchases with a debit card that was not hers. The victim, in an interview with law enforcement, said he’d noticed that there were 12 unauthorized transactions on his debit card totaling over $5,800. The charge of Felony Theft is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
Ziska Change of Plea
Last week, William Ziska’s Attorney, Anna Malmberg, filed a change of plea motion and notice to vacate the jury trial that was scheduled to take place this week in District Court. The 37-year-old Ziska was set to stand trial for 12 counts of Felony Voyeurism and one count of Sexual Exploitation of Children. Ziska was arrested and charged with the crimes for allegedly installing a video camera in the vent of a bathroom at a residence in Sheridan. According to court documents, the criminal activity occurred between February 19 and March 22 of last year. Thursday in District Court, Ziska pleaded “no contest” to all 13 counts. The pleas were not part of a plea agreement with the State.