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LISBON -- A jury trial for Darshan Singh, a man accused of attempting sexual acts with children, was moved back until June 26 in Columbiana County Common Pleas Court.
Singh's attorney Edward LaRue and Assistant County Prosecutor Tammie Riley Jones both indicated they continue to talk about possible resolutions in the case.
Singh, 62, formerly of Salem but whose current address is listed in Solon, Ohio, is charged with two counts of attempted gross sexual imposition and one count each of assault and public indecency. The attempted gross sexual imposition charges are fourth-degree felonies while the other two charges are misdemeanours.
LaRue said Singh has hired a separate immigration attorney, because Singh is not a citizen of this country and whatever happens in the criminal case could create deportation problems for him.
On Monday it was determined that two of the children expected to testify in the case were old enough to be competent to testify. A third child, the youngest at 9 years old, was interviewed by Judge C. Ashley Pike as well as Jones and LaRue. Pike then also ruled the child also would be capable to testify in the case, should the trial go forward in June.
According to the charges, Singh is alleged to have exposed himself to two children and attempted to get the two children, both less than 13 years old, to touch him with their hands on Aug. 10, 2016. Additionally, he is accused of pushing one child to the ground.
The case had been scheduled to go to trial on May 15, however, additional time was granted to prepare for trial, work on a resolution to the case and to obtain an official court interpreter who can assist Singh should a trial become necessary. A status conference is scheduled for June 11.