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ALPENA -- The trial date for Aaron Pokorzynski, 31, was moved to begin on Jan. 26 according to court records, but that date will be changed again due to a scheduling conflict with Pokorzynski's defense attorney Gary Springstead.
Pokorzynski had a hearing on Tuesday in the 26th Circuit Court in Alpena. He is charged with second-degree criminal sexual conduct and three counts of first- degree criminal sexual conduct.
The first-degree charges refer to a case where Pokorzynski allegedly had sexual intercourse with a 15-year-old child while serving as their tennis instructor at the APlex in 2012.
The second-degree charge involves an incident in 2021 with a separate individual who he was also an instructor for.
The trial was originally scheduled to begin on Jan. 13 this year. It was moved to October 13 after Pokorzynski's attorney at the time, Matt Wojda, filed an application for leave to appeal, which paused any further hearings until the Michigan Court of Appeals could respond.
The application for leave to appeal was ultimately denied. In a leave to appeal, an attorney asks the appellate court to consider an appeal as opposed to appealing directly. An attorney must file a leave to appeal when the case is still ongoing.
Pokorzynski switched attorneys to Springstead, who is based in Fremont, MI, as of June 3, according to court records.
At Tuesday's hearing, Springstead informed the court that he anticipates filing at least one motion based on the research he has done about the case. Attorneys file motions to ask a judge to make a ruling, issue an order, or take a specific action during a legal case. He said he still has more research to do but could potentially file a total of three motions.
Springstead addressed the Jan. 26 trial date, saying that he had a seminar he planned on attending out of state that day.
Judge Ed Black said he would like to schedule the trial for some time in January or February if possible.
Springstead said he is looking to set a new trial date shortly before or shortly after the scheduled date.
Judge Black asked for witness and exhibit lists to be filed by Dec. 1 in preparation for trial.
Pokorzynski's next hearing will be at 1:15 p.m. on Nov. 2. It is expected that Springstead will have any motions filed by that date. The new trial date is yet to be scheduled as of the time of writing.
SENTENCINGS
Dennis Moldenhauer Jr., 27, was sentenced to 12 months probation for a charge of assault or assault and battery.
Julie Skierski, 60, was sentenced to 18 months probation with six months jail held in advance for a charge of possession of methamphetamine/ecstasy. Skierski will not have to serve any jail time as long as she complies with the requirements of probation.
Brandy Bowen, 40, was sentenced to 12 months in jail with credit for 183 days. She will be released after 8 months for residential treatment. Bowen pleaded no contest to assault or assault and battery, malicious destruction of a building - $200 but less than $1,000, home invasion - third degree, and police officer - assaulting/resisting/obstructing.
Jeremy Sahr, 49, was sentenced to one year probation. He pleaded no contest to assault of prison employee, two counts of police officer - assaulting/resisting/obstructing, and one count of disorderly person - drunk.