DULUTH - The man accused of sexually assaulting three women in Superior this summer entered not guilty pleas at an arraignment Friday in Douglas County Court.
Craig Allen Mehtala, 28, of Superior faces three felony counts of second-degree sexual assault for the attacks, which occurred in June and August. In each of the cases, a woman walking alone in the early morning hours was attacked from behind by a stranger, according to the criminal complaint.
Mehtala's attorney, Chris Gramstrup, was scheduled to review the state's evidence Friday in a process known as discovery. Until that is done, the attorney could not say what motions -- if any -- he plans to file.
Assistant District Attorney Lance Nelsen told Judge Kelly Thimm he filed notice this week of his intent to introduce DNA evidence at the trial. Such filings must be done at least 45 days before trial to allow the defense attorney time to have his or her own expert examine the DNA evidence, Nelsen said.
DNA evidence not only links two of the Douglas County assaults, it also matches evidence gathered from a 2006 sexual assault in Burnett County, according to the criminal complaints. Mehtala faces felony charges of second-degree sexual assault and battery in Burnett County stemming from that case.
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Mehtala was scheduled for a preliminary hearing next week in Burnett County before Judge Kenneth Kutz. Gramstrup said that hearing has been canceled because Mehtala has filed a motion requesting that a different judge hear the case. It is even possible that Thimm could get the case, Gramstrup said.
A status conference on the Douglas County case was set for Dec. 18. Mehtala remained in custody at the Douglas County Jail. Bail for the Douglas County case was set at $10,000 cash; a $25,000 signature bond was ordered for the Burnett County case.
Each second-degree sexual assault charge carries a maximum penalty of 40 years' imprisonment and a fine of up to $100,000. The battery charge has a maximum penalty of six years' imprisonment and up to a $10,000 fine.
