District Court Judge Todd Plewe blasted prosecution and defense attorneys last week, stating he wore the black robe and made courtroom decisions.
“I don’t like the games that are being played,” said Plewe of a proposed plea deal in a child sex assault case.
Assistant District Attorney Sean Murray and Public Defender Amy R. Smith presented the stipulated plea agreement on Thursday, Dec. 18. Under the proposal, David Adcock, 44, of Cortez would have been allowed to simply serve probation after pleading guilty to attempted sexual assault. Plewe rejected the agreement.
“This is a very serious case,” said Plewe. “These allegations are very serious.”
In custody, Adcock is charged with two felony counts of child sexual assault. The alleged victim, a 10-year-old, told authorities that Adcock touched him after visiting the defendant’s home on North Washington Street in July.
A paid defense expert recommended that Adcock be placed on probation. Plewe admonished prosecutors for rubber-stamping the proposed plea deal without considering an evaluation from probation officials.
“I don’t like my hands being tied,” said Plewe.
After repeated requests to consider the plea deal, Plewe asked prosecution and defense attorneys if he should be replaced at the bench with a computer, so they could “punch the ticket.”
Plewe ultimately granted a continuance in the case to allow Smith time to file her expert witness’s evaluation of the case for the court to consider.
Court records reveal police seized a desktop computer, bedding and clothing from the defendant’s residence.
