This story shows the sad state of affairs our criminal justice system is in. After reading the story, ask yourself "Why" to the very last sentence in the story?
3-19-2008 Colorado:
Attorneys in the case of a 91-year-old Palisade man accused of sexual assault spent Wednesday morning in court trying to determine whether the aging man was fit to stand trial.
It turns out he wasn’t. He died nearly a month ago and has been cremated, according to a relative who contacted The Daily Sentinel.
Ralph Ridenour died Feb. 22 at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, said Jim Snell of Snell-McLean Funeral Home in Palisade, which handled arrangements for Ridenour. VA officials said they couldn’t comment on Ridenour.
“That’s a relief for public safety,” Mesa County District Attorney Pete Hautzinger said when told Ridenour had died.
Attorneys handling a hearing Wednesday, however, apparently were unaware Ridenour was dead.
Public Defender Steve Colvin told Mesa County District Judge Brian Flynn on Wednesday that despite repeated requests, VA doctors have not produced written verification that Ridenour was healthy enough to stand trial.
Ridenour, a convicted sex offender, was arrested Oct. 21 after a nurse at the Palisade nursing home where he lived said he threatened to rape her, pulled her pants down and held onto her sleeve while she tried to escape.
Ridenour’s health deteriorated soon after the arrest to the point that doctors said he was too ill to complete an examination to determine whether he was competent to stand trial, attorneys have said.
During Wednesday’s hearing, Deputy District Attorney Drew Lauer said prosecutors needed written proof Ridenour was too ill to stand trial if charges were to be dropped.
Ridenour, a registered sex offender and a military veteran, was charged with attempted sexual assault through the use of force and attempted sexual assault through the use of force and false imprisonment.
Reached late Wednesday, Lauer said he had not heard that Ridenour had died. Colvin could not be reached for comment.
Patients and relatives of patients can request do-not-acknowledge orders from hospitals.
In such cases, even attorneys handling criminal cases on behalf of patients can be told nothing if they aren’t listed among people with whom hospital officials are allowed to discuss patients, said Paul Sweeney, spokesman for the Grand Junction VA.
Sweeney said he couldn’t comment about Ridenour.
The next court hearing for Ridenour was set for April 14. ..more.. by Mike Wiggins
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