Dr. Gary Ridenour appeared in Justice Court before Judge Ben Trotter, yesterday to face June 9th charges of alleged gross lewdness, simple battery, and preventing a person from producing evidence by threat, stemming from events occurring at his Fallon medical practice in July 2019.
Represented by his defense counsel, James Sloan, Ridenour waived his right to an arraignment within 15 days and a preliminary hearing was set for August 21st at 10:00 AM. Ridenour previously entered a not-guilty plea on the simple battery charge.
In a separate case before Trotter, defendant Tom Furr presented a challenge in Justice Court today refusing to meet with his court appointed legal counsel, Jacob Sommer, Esq.
Furr, who appeared in court via closed circuit TV from the Churchill County Jail, is currently facing charges of alleged assault and battery with a deadly weapon causing substantial bodily harm and attempt to commit burglary with a deadly weapon. Initial charges included attempted homicide with a deadly weapon but have been reduced.
According to Sommer, Furr refused to meet with him in person prior to his appearance in Justice Court. Sommer also stated it was his understanding that Furr’s previous public defender removed himself as counsel under similar circumstances.
Sommer, in defense of accusations that he’d previously threatened to have charges added to Furr’s initial ones, stated, those statements were untrue and “Defendants have the right to counsel, but not they do not necessarily get chose not to cooperate.” Judge Trotter attempted to explain to Furr that he could chose his own attorney, but only if he could hire counsel privately.
“I’ll represent myself unless you have a different attorney for me,” Furr stated, refusing a again to meet with Sommer. After a brief discussion as to appoint Charles Woodman, Esq., the only other available public defender, to Furr’s case, Assistant District Attorney Lane Mills, opposed this option arguing, “The right to counsel does not mean defendant can be obstructionist to get the attorney of his choosing.” Judge Trotter gave Furr a final opportunity to work with Sommers, which he refused.
Furr then request to be released on his own recognizance in order to go to work and hire his own attorney. Trotter denied his request citing the current bond in the amount $600k, the fact that he had previously fled to California on this case, the nature of the charges, and his criminal history.
Furr stated he will represent himself and the matter was continued for three weeks until July 9th.
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