The trial of an Oconto man accused of sexually assaulting a young girl continuously has been postponed again, this time so attorneys can argue a defense motion to dismiss at least some of the charges.
David SanRoman, 48, is charged in Oconto County Circuit Court with two counts of first-degree sexual assault of a child under age 13, two counts of first-degree sexual assault of a child under age 12, and one count of second-degree sexual assault of a child, all charging him as a persistent repeater, in connection with incidents that allegedly occurred from 2016 to 2020. He also faces two felony bail jumping charges in connection with incidents that allegedly happened Jan. 17, 2020, and Aug. 24, 2020.
Defense attorney Michael Scholke opened a Feb. 1 court appearance by saying that his client had rejected the latest plea agreement offer from the state. He added that the two sides had resolved several pre-trial issues but would like a motion hearing to argue the remaining matters before Judge Michael Judge.
The hearing would be held March 4, meaning that a jury trial scheduled to begin Feb. 27 would be postponed.
District Attorney Hannah Schuchart told Judge she and Scholke “have been in very frequent contact” in an attempt to settle their issues.
“We’re trying to resolve as many issues among the parties that we can,” Schuchart said. “We still are on for trial posture, but I think this is just for clarity and keeping the record complete that we need to go through all the extra steps.”
Judge agreed with the latest postponement but made it clear he wants the pre-trial business completed and a firm trial date set at the March 4 hearing.
“I would like to resolve any and all issues on that day and time, so that a trial date not only can be secured but everyone can count on proceeding on that date and time. All right? Enough of the postponements,” Judge said.
SanRoman has been in custody in lieu of $250,000 cash bond since September 2020. The case went to trial in April 2020 but ended with a mistrial after a witness testified about a report that had never been shared with the defense.
His longtime live-in girlfriend, Sarah L. Alberts, was sentenced to 12 years in prison last year after pleading no contest to a charge of chronic neglect of a child with the consequence that a sexual offense was committed.
Oconto County authorities were alerted to the allegations when the girl’s father reported text messages between the girl and Alberts about an incident in which SanRoman allegedly tried to have sex with her.
Investigators determined there had been several incidents dating back to 2017, when the girl was 12, and Alberts occasionally kicked him out of the house but kept letting him back in.
wbluhm@newmedia-wi.com
Child sex assault trial postponed again
