MINOT, N.D. (AP) - A midsummer trial has been scheduled for the Ward County sheriff, who faces misdemeanor charges related to an October 2014 incident in which an ill jail inmate died.
On Thursday, Judge Lolita Romanick scheduled a weeklong trial for Steve Kukowski beginning July 10. The judge has also ordered the prosecution to provide Kukowski’s attorney Peter Welte with most of its discovery, after failing to provide a witness list.
“We specifically requested a complete witness list with names, addresses, contact telephone numbers, and criminal history for said witnesses. To date, we still don’t even have that,” said Welte.
Special Prosecutor Seymour Jordan said the sheriff failed to get Dustin Irwin medical attention he needed while in custody. Irwin died after being transferred to Burleigh County.
Romanick dismissed the jury panel selected in January. She requested that a new jury be selected for the July trial.
Romanick ruled that jury questionnaires be sent out May 1 with response required within 14 days.
Kukowski is charged with public servant refusing to perform duty and two counts of reckless endangerment. He maintains his innocence.
Kukowski was suspended by Gov. Jack Dalrymple last year and faces a removal hearing next month.
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