Former mayor’s court date moved to May

WASHINGTON - A jury trial for former Washington Mayor Jaron Rosien was bumped back several months on Wednesday, with a judge’s order signed days before it was scheduled to begin on Feb. 18. The new date is set for May 13, 2025.

Court documents show a judge ordered the change after Rosien’s attorney, Eric Tindal, filed a motion requesting it. In that motion, Tindal cited another trial scheduled in Scott County on Feb. 10, where Tindal also represented the defendant.

According to Tindal, the Scott County case couldn’t be moved earlier due to a lack of alternative dates, and couldn’t be moved later due to the limits of a defendant’s right to a speedy trial.

“The State does not have additional trial dates available for this (Scott County) defendant prior to the Defendant’s speedy trial demand running out,” Tindal wrote in the continuance motion on Rosien’s docket. “Because of the speedy trial issues there is little choice for the court or counsel.”

In the continuance order, Eighth District Judge Crystal Cronk said the state had resisted Tindal’s motion, but that “based upon the reasons contained therein, the Court finds that the Motion should be granted and will continue (the) trial.”

The move marks the sixth time Rosien’s trial has been delayed since a onetime customer at the bar Rosien owns downtown filed charges, accusing the former mayor of third degree sexual abuse. Rosien has pleaded not guilty to the allegations.

Repeated continuances in the case over the last several years have frustrated city officials who once worked with Rosien, and say the unresolved legal battle has tarnished the city’s reputation, although those complaints grew quieter after Rosien stepped down just over one year ago.

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com