Olson trial delayed, awaiting results of suppression hearing

By Bob Steenson, bsteenson@charlescitypress.com

The trial date for a Nora Springs man charged with several instances of sexual abuse with a young girl has been postponed, awaiting the results of a hearing on whether statements the defendant allegedly made to law enforcement should be allowed to be used in the trial.

Aaron Leroy Olson, age 35, was charged in November with three counts of second-degree sexual abuse for three separate incidents where he is accused of showing pornography on a computer to a 5-year-old girl and/or making the girl touch his genitals. Sexual abuse in the second degree is a Class B felony.

The events allegedly took place between Jan. 1 and Nov. 8 last year.

Olson is also charged with first offense possession of marijuana, a serious misdemeanor.

Olson pleaded not guilty and a jury trial had been set in Floyd County District Court, but in January, Olson’s attorney, Judith O’Donohoe of Charles City, filed a motion to suppress statements allegedly made by Olson.

“The defendant did not knowingly and intelligently waive his right against self-incrimination in making any statements,” the motion said, calling the statements the result of “an illegal interrogation” in violation of the defendant’s rights.

The hearing and the trial have been postponed several times since then.

The suppression hearing has now been set for May 13, and in an order filed last week, the trial has now been set for July 9.