A father whose son was allegedly beaten by four Blue Earth Area football teammates is hoping justice doesn’t get lost in the shuffle.
In early January, Faribault County Attorney Troy Timmerman was sworn in as a judge in the Fifth Judicial District.
The County Board in February hired Lamar Piper on an interim basis to replace assistant county attorney Graham Berg-Moberg, who took a similar position in Aitkin County.
Dale Hurley says the recent shakeup in the County Attorney’s Office had him concerned.
“Some have hired high-powered attorneys,” says Hurley. “I just hope we don’t get steamrolled.”
Charged in the alleged assault that took place last October at a house party in Winnebago were 18 year olds Wyatt Eugene Tungland and Dalton Lee Nagel, 17-year-old Blake Joseph Barnett and 16-year-old Caden Ochsendorf.
Hurley says he has talked with new County Attorney Kathryn Karjala-Curtis, who assumed her new duties in mid-January. Earlier this month, Mindy Quitten was hired as the assistant county attorney.
“I feel like she is doing everything she can. They have put our worries to rest for now,” Hurley says.
On Monday in Faribault County District Court, Nagel pleaded not guilty to aiding and abetting third-degree assault.
Martin County Judge Michael Trushenski granted Nagel’s attorney, Michael Kircher, request for a three-day jury trial. At this time, a date has not been set.
Tungland is scheduled to appear at a contested omnibus hearing on April 6 on charges of third-degree assault and aiding and abetting third-degree assault.
Barnett and Ochsendorf of Winnebago were charged in juvenile court with third-degree assault and aiding and abetting third-degree assault.