A jury trial anticipated to begin Wednesday for a man charged with sexually abusing a 12-year-old Newton girl has been postponed.
Bradly Delk, 19, of Sioux City was charged with third-degree sexual abuse last summer following an investigation by the Newton Police Department.
Delk’s former attorney Richard Phelps II filed a motion to withdraw because “the relationship between counsel and the defendant and family has deteriorated to the point where the defendant is requesting new counsel.”
In a letter to the judge, Delk requested “a new attorney because, he didn’t get my witnesses in, nor did he prepare for my trial in time.” Delk also claimed he only talked to Phelps once to share his side of the story.
District Court Judge Paul Huscher granted Phelps’ motion to withdraw and scheduled a new trial for Oct. 21. Online court records show Delks’ new attorney is Gerald Feuerhelm.
Delk is accused of sexually assaulting the victim at her Newton home in September 2013 while he was staying the night. He was charged on Aug. 13, 2014 for the alleged crime.
Third-degree sexual abuse is a Class C felony and is punishable by up to 10 years in prison with a $10,000 fine.