Suspect ordered to hire attorney

SANDPOINT — An Athol man accused of lewd conduct has been ordered to obtain defense counsel at his own expense.

Curtis Edward Jackson owns enough real and personal property to counter his claim of being indigent, 1st District Judge Steve Verby ruled on Thursday.

Jackson is awaiting trial on three counts of lewd and lascivious conduct with a minor. His four-day trial is tentatively set for May.

Jackson, 46, molested the girl last year, when she was between the ages of 8 and 9 years old, charging papers allege. He was arrested and his bail was set at $100,000. The amount was reduced to $20,000 after he waived a preliminary hearing — tacit agreement that the state had enough evidence to justify a trial.

Jackson was appointed publicly-funded counsel based on representations on a financial disclosure form he filled out upon his arrest last fall, according to court documents. Bonner County Prosecutor Louis Marshall moved to revisit the counsel appointment after Jackson was able to post a bond and make bail.

Jackson testified on Thursday that he owned property in Cocolalla and eastern Montana, in addition to several vehicles and a piece of heavy equipment, court records indicate.

In addition to an order rescinding the appointment of counsel, Verby rejected an earlier motion by Chief Public Defender Isabella Robertson which sought to block the testimony of the alleged victim because of her age.