A defendant facing two first degree rape charges has been set for a felony disposition docket and a jury trial.
Two felony charges of first degree rape with a victim under 14 were filed in Lincoln County District Court Jan. 24, 2023 against Dakota Shane Murch, 44. A $75,000 bench warrant for his arrest was issued the same day the charges were filed.
Court records show the bench warrant was returned and filed Feb. 1, 2023, Murch made his initial appearance on Feb. 2 last year before Special Judge Emily Mueller.
Appearing for his arraignment earlier before District Judge John Canavan, Murch pleaded not guilty to the charges. The judge received the plea and set the cause for disposition on July 16 this year.
Appearing on that date before Judge Canavan, the judge set his case for the felony disposition docket on Sep. 30 and a jury trial was scheduled for Oct. 21.
Court records show that on Aug. 17, 2023 an order of recusal was filed.
They further show that on Sep. 21 last year Judge Mueller struck that date and a new judge was later assigned.
Both charges of first degree rape by instrumentation allegedly occurred between March 14, 2012 and March 13, 2013. The victim, now 17, was seven years old at the time the reported crimes occurred.
Lincoln County Sheriff’s Detective George Kelly Coleman investigated the case beginning back in June of 2022, according to a probable cause affidavit.
Vanessa Parsons with the One Safe Place Family Justice Center was also involved in the investigation.