Court dates have been set for jury trial of Cook County Attorney Tim Scannell on two felony charges of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct. On April 17, Court Administrator Diane Herrick-Schmidt issued the notice that Scannell is scheduled to appear in court again in July.
The case is scheduled for a pre-trial hearing at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 3. A jury trial has been scheduled for July 21-25, beginning at 8:30 a.m. each day. The proceedings will be held in St. Louis County District Court in Duluth.
County Attorney Scannell has been free on his own recognizance since his October 2013 indictment with the condition that he has no contact with the alleged victim or with any of the witnesses in the case.
Scannell came under public scrutiny after a Cook County family concerned about the safety and wellbeing of their then-17-year-old daughter issued a harassment restraining order against him on December 4, 2012. An investigation and the grand jury indictment followed.
Scannell’s attorney, Joseph Tamburino argued for dismissal of the indictment at a March 27 hearing, but on April 11, Judge Shaun Floerke issued an opinion that the matter should proceed to trial. Because the age of consent in Minnesota is 16, the case may be decided by the jury on whether or not Scannell was in a position of authority over the girl at the time of the physical acts. According to court documents, Scannell had known the girl since she was in third grade. He had been her soccer coach, tennis coach, taught her guitar lessons, helped her with her homework and most recently, gave her advice on college planning.
If Scannell is found guilty of the charges, he could be sentenced to up to 10 years of incarceration and/or $20,000 on each count.
Scannell first became the center of media attention on December 15, 2011 when he was shot by a defendant he had successfully convicted of criminal sexual conduct with a teenaged girl.
On October 15, 2013, Scannell gave notice that he was leaving the county attorney’s office indefinitely on medical leave. As an elected official, Scannell will continue to be paid his full salary while he is on medical leave.
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