Cortez rape suspect pleads guilty
Appearing in custody on a $25,000 bond this week, Merrick Tom, 36, pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree assault with a deadly weapon and a single count of attempted sexual assault. His bond was revoked until sentencing, which was set for July 23.
The Cortez man likely will get 20 years in prison.
The plea agreement calls for Tom to receive consecutive 10-year sentences on each charge followed by an open probationary term, which could last eight years.
At this week’s hearing, the victim – on board with the plea deal – informed the court that she wished to reserve the right to speak at sentencing.
Tom reportedly entered the home about midnight on Jan. 3, and forced the woman to have sex twice within four hours. The suspect reportedly tied her to the bed and hid her phone.
Stabbing suspect arraigned
A Towaoc man pleaded not guilty this week in connection to a stabbing incident that reportedly occurred inside an area home in February.
A jury trial, expected to last five days, was set to start on Sept. 14, after Clint Laner, 25, pleaded not guilty to assault and tampering with evidence charges stemming from an alleged stabbing incident at a North Edith Street residence. The alleged 32-year-old victim reportedly suffered a puncture wound to the thigh, which required seven stitches.
Charged as a habitual criminal, Laner remains in custody under a $50,000 bond. His criminal history includes convictions for menacing and vehicular eluding.
A fourth request to lower the bond to $5,000 was rejected at this week’s arraignment hearing.
Alleged thief requests drug court
Incarcerated on a $3,000 bond since his arrest last November, a Dolores man will now be screened for drug court.
Marlon Cruzan, 47, waived his right to a speedy trial this week and requested that he be screened as a drug court candidate. Charged with burglary and theft along with drug, weapon and tampering with evidence charges in separate incidents that occurred last fall, Cruzan has remained in jail since his arrest on Nov. 13.
It appears Cruzan rejected a plea deal to criminal trespass and drug possession charges in December.
A plea hearing was set for June 12.
Judge rejects plea deal in DUI
Apparently charged with DUI while on a bicycle, a Towaoc man had a plea deal rejected this week despite his wish to plead guilty.
Adrian Price, 40, pleaded guilty to driving with a revoked license and DUI in a plea deal that would have called for at least a year in prison. The court, however, rejected the plea deal after a public defender questioned whether the Colorado State Patrol had jurisdiction to file the charges.
The defense was granted 10 days to file a motion to remedy any jurisdictional issue and continued the case to May 21.
According to electronic court records, Price remains in custody under a $5,000 bond as a habitual traffic offender.
The Cortez Journal
