Sexual Abuse Trial Delayed While New Attorney Gets Up To Speed

William Joseph Telford [Photo courtesy Cochise County Sheriff's Office]

A St. David man remains in the Cochise County jail awaiting trial for the sexual abuse of a minor, but a recent change in defense attorney means that trial won’t take place for several months.

William Joseph Telford and his new attorney Chris Russell will be back in court Jan. 12 for a hearing on whether four witnesses can be called by the defense to testify that the victim has a reputation for untruthfulness and is lying about the allegations. A trial date may be confirmed during that hearing as well.

Telford, 57, was taken into custody in July 2019 after a 16-year-old girl was treated at Tucson Medical Center for injuries allegedly suffered during a domestic violence incident. It was at the hospital that the girl claimed she had been repeatedly sexually abused by Telford since she was 13.

A county grand jury indicted Telford on five felonies, three of which involve sexual abuse of a minor aged 15 or older. The other counts allege child abuse by domestic violence and weapons misconduct for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Court records show the defense also wants to present evidence that the girl was sexually assaulted 10 years ago. Prosecutor Michael Powell has filed an objection, calling the information irrelevant.

“There is no indication that the perpetrator of the prior assault committed the charged offenses,” he stated. “The State moves the Court to preclude this anticipated testimony based on these listed objections.”

Russell was retained by Telford in October after the defendant became dissatisfied with his second court-appointed attorney. Telford remains in jail pending trial as he has been unable to post a $50,000 appearance bond to secure his release.

Judge Timothy Dickerson ruled in June that Powell can present jurors with evidence of other sexual acts allegedly committed by Telford. There have also been discussions in this case that Telford may be indicted in other jurisdictions for sexual abuse.