Marti pleads not guilty, trial in June
Marti Appearing Via Zoom before Judge Buchanan.
BONNERS FERRY — Eric S. Marti pleaded not guilty on the two counts of rape, and waived rights to hear the counts against him, during his arraignment hearing on Wednesday, Feb. 3.
In a criminal complaint filed by Boundary County Detective Caleb Watts on Dec. 8, the complaint alleges two counts of rape against Marti.
The first count alleges penetration of a female who was 16 years old at the time of the incident; According to the report, the defendant was 26 years old during the first count of rape that occurred from March to October.
The second count alleges another rape encounter on Halloween, Oct. 31.
Public defender Linda Payne represented Marti at Wednesday's District Court arraignment, with Judge Barbara Buchanan presiding.
Payne has more than 18 years of experience as an attorney and has experience as a public defender for Kootenai and Boundary counties.
Judge Buchanan asked for what time would be most convenient for the defendant, but there was no preference for the dates because there were talks of negotiations with the prosecutor.
“Whatever is convenient for the court, we are in negotiations,” Payne said
A pre-trial is set for May 19, and a trial date for June 8, at 9 a.m.