JEFFERSON COUNTY — A 25-year-old Mt. Vernon man waived his right to a speedy trial Wednesday during a motion hearing in Jefferson County Court sexual assault case.
(Source: mugshots.com)
Prosecutors sought permission Tuesday to enter evidence of an alleged prior sexual assault in the 2016 case against Justin Starr.
In June a Jefferson County grand jury indicted Starr on three Class 1 felony counts criminal sexual assault by use of force, and one Class 4 felony count each of domestic battery and unlawful restraint.
He is accused of striking the alleged victim in the face and head, grabbing her arm and tying her to the bed, before sexually assaulting her.
According to Tuesday’s motion, prosecutors are seeking to have a woman who is not the alleged victim in the current case testify at trial that Starr committed a similar assault on her in 2013.
Judge Jerry Crisel has not yet ruled on the motion. A status hearing has been set for October 4 to rule on that motion.
A September 27 jury trial setting in the case was ultimately continued to allow for a ruling on the woman’s testimony. Starr waived his right to a speedy trial to allow time for the ruling.