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LISBON -- The jury trial for a Lisbon man charged for the alleged sexual assault of a 10-year-old child in 2021 was bumped to Sept. 25, with an evidentiary hearing at 9 a.m. Aug. 9.
Donald J. Williams, 59, Pritchard Avenue, has remained in jail since April this year after being served with the indictment issued in May 2022 for rape, a first-degree felony, and gross sexual imposition, a third-degree felony. The alleged incidents occurred on June 24, 2021 and the indictment specifically noted that the child was 10 years old at the time of the rape.
During a hearing Thursday, Columbiana County Common Pleas Court Judge Scott Washam granted a motion by defense attorney Joe King for funding for a DNA expert for DNA analysis at an amount up to $1,500. King noted the expert was just for analysis, not retesting.
King also indicated he plans to file a motion dealing with consent for a DNA swab that was taken from his client and whether a sheriff's deputy was qualified to take the DNA swab. He expected to file the motion by July 5.
Washam recently agreed to reduce the bond for Williams from $150,000 cash or surety to $25,000 cash or surety, but Williams remains in jail.
A final status hearing was set for 9 a.m. Aug. 30.
mgreier@mojonews.com