Trial for Ritzville man charged with rape pushed back to October

Michael A. Kuest’s trial for rape in the first degree has been rescheduled from next week to Oct. 22. Kuest, 27, of Ritzville has been in custody since he was arrested on June 3. He is being held on $250,000 bail.

A pre-trial hearing and a suppression motion were scheduled for Monday, July 15. However, on July 8, public defenders Kyle Smith’s and Barrett Scudder’s motions to be dismissed from the case were granted by Judge Steven B. Dixon.

Also on July 8, Dixon appointed Douglas Phelps as Kuest’s new attorney. Smith and Scudder had themselves replaced previously excused attorney Carson Van Valkenburg.

On July 15, when Dixon called to order the pre-trial hearing, Phelps said that he had just received some requested files, and that he would not be ready to proceed to trial next week. He said DNA evidence required more time to examine. He also asked that the pre-trial hearings and motions scheduled for July 15 be pushed back as well. Dixon agreed.

A scheduling conference has been scheduled for July 22 at 10 a.m. The pre-trial hearing has been moved to Sept. 16, while an omnibus hearing has been added on Aug. 26.

For the trial to be moved back, Kuest had to waive his right to a speedy trial. Kuest is accused of raping a Spokane woman on June 3 in Ritzville.

The Journal will continue to follow this story.