The trial of Kosciusko County Sheriff Aaron Rovenstine has been tentatively re-scheduled for April, according to special prosecutor Nelson Chipman.
Special Judge Evan Roberts continued the trial Tuesday in Kosciusko County Circuit Court.
Rovenstine faces 10 felony counts, including bribery and official misconduct. He was indicted along with former Grace College Professor Mark Soto and mixed martial artist Kevin Bronson.
James Voyles, attorney for Rovenstine, filed a motion to terminate the special prosecutor 28 minutes before Rovenstine’s trail was scheduled to begin Tuesday.
The motion claimed Chipman did not file an extension of time by July 22 and therefore no longer had authority to try the case.
Due to Chipman’s health reasons, the case is now being handled by his deputies, Tami Napier and Matthew Sarber.
Judge Michael Reed, who heard the motion because he initially ordered the special prosecutor, denied Voyles’ motion, and granted Chipman authority until July 22, 2017, or until the case ends.
Roberts continued the trial to allow Voyles to appeal to the Indiana Supreme Court.
Chipman said Voyles made the motion to avoid going to trial.
“Look how many times they’ve tried to delay the trial, they don’t want to be tried,” Chipman said.
Chipman says an emergency hearing was held later Tuesday afternoon in Elkhart Superior Court I.
The hearing was unannounced to the public and the lawyers appeared by telephone, Chipman said.
Lynette Krieger, administrative assistant for Roberts, confirmed an emergency hearing happened but was not able to release the details as of press time this morning.
Chipman said Roberts ruled Chipman did have the authority to try the case and set a tentative date for the trial to resume in April.
Soto and Bronson were scheduled to face their jury trial in April.
Chipman said that trial will have to be rescheduled as well due to the Rovenstine case.
Attempts to reach Rovenstine’s defense team were unsuccessful this morning.
