The trial of former Addison County Sheriff Peter Newton, who was accused in June 2022 of sexually assaulting and unlawfully restraining a woman, has been delayed past its target of February, with no new date set.
An attorney for Newton told a judge during a status hearing on Friday afternoon that lawyers were still in the process of taking depositions of witnesses and would propose a revised schedule.
The judge, Michael Harris, agreed to the proposal from attorney Jason Sawyer.
Newton attended Friday’s hearing, held in Chittenden County Superior criminal court in Burlington, by video. Most recently, in August, the parties had discussed being ready for trial next month.
The next status conference has been set for April 16.
Newton, 51, is accused of sexually assaulting, physically assaulting and unlawfully restraining a woman he knew in February 2022 while he was sheriff.
He pleaded not guilty in June 2022 to two charges of sexual assault as well as single counts of unlawful restraint and domestic assault. He is free on conditions, including that he not contact the woman he is charged with assaulting.
As the case against him was under investigation in 2022, Newton said he would not run for a third term as Addison County sheriff. His term expired in January 2023.
The Vermont Attorney General’s Office is prosecuting the case in Chittenden County to avoid any potential conflict that could arise with local prosecutors in Addison County.
