Crime & Safety

Johnson Child Sex Assault Trial Remains on Hold

Curt Johnson's child sex assault case remains on hold until the state Supreme Court makes a decision about one of its decisions.

The criminal case against Curt Johnson for repeated sexual assault of the same child remains on hold in Racine County Circuit Court.

Johnson, one of the billionaire heirs to the Johnson family fortune, is facing up to 40 years in jail for allegedly touching his stepdaughter inappropriately for several years and asking her to have sex with him. The allegations came to light after Johnson reportedly told his therapist in Arizona and they reported the incidents to the Racine County agencies. He was charged in March 2011 and plead not guilty.

Judge Eugene Gasiorkiewicz told lawyers for both sides of the case Thursday that a call to the state's high court didn't yield any clues about when the justices will make a decision, according to a story in The Journal Times.

At issue is the July decision from the Supreme Court that upheld the girl's decision to not release her medical records but that she can also testify against Johnson. Both sides asked the court to reconsider its decision; the prosecution wants the records released, and the defense wants the girl barred from testifying unless she releases the records.

Justices can either decide to revisit the decision or let their ruling stand. Until they make some kind of determination, though, the state's case against Johnson remains in limbo. Defense attorneys think the way the court arrived at their decision violated its own rules while the state believes the justices ruled appropriately.

Another status conference has been set for Nov. 4. Johnson's trial is expected to last a week and is scheduled for Jan. 6.


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