11/04/09

Last week, we mentioned that the trial for 43 year old Franklin Ward Osterhoudt of Buhl had wrapped up. Osterhoudt is charged with 5 counts of lewd conduct with a child under the age of 16, and one count each of incest and rape.

Twin Falls County Prosecuting Attorney Grant Loebs says that last Friday all 12 jurors couldn't come to a decision on all the issues in Osterhoudt's case, resulting in a hung jury. Loebs says the jurors came to their decision between 5 and 6 pm, Friday afternoon. Loebs says Osterhoudt will stay in jail until his new trial, which is set to begin at 9 am on June 8th.

Meanwhile, Dwayne Edward King, 38, of Twin Falls faces 15 felony charges of 'possession of sexually exploitative material involving children.' in June of this year, investigators found almost 16 hundred images and more than 400 similar videos on King's home computer.

King pled not guilty to the charges about 6 weeks ago. The maximum penalty he could receive for each charge is up to 10 years in prison, and a fine of up to $10,000. King's four day trial is scheduled to begin at9 am on Tuesday, November 17th, before District Judge Randy Stoker.

And in other court news, a Twin Falls man charged with domestic violence and unlawful entry was sentenced to two years supervised probation, but will go to trial next week on a charge of second degree kidnapping.

Christopher Allen Frix, 33, was originally charged after police say he broke into his ex-wife's home on April fifth in Twin Falls, wearing only his underwear, and holding her against her will, while quoting biblical scripture; and refusing to open the door for law enforcement officers called to the scene. His two day jury trial will begin next Thursday, November 12th, at 9 am.