LAKEPORT ?Discovery in the case against a youth group leader held for alleged sex assault sat waiting for someone to hand it to the defense attorney until the day of the man”s appearance, leading the preliminary hearing to be postponed Friday.
Christopher Puryear, 23, of Kelseyville will return to court Jan. 22 for a pre-preliminary hearing and 9 a.m. Jan. 29 for his preliminary hearing.
Puryear allegedly forced oral sex on a 14-year-old girl in the Gateway Ministries youth group Nov. 25 outside the church, where he was a leader until his arrest.
He pleaded not guilty to charges of forced oral sex, intimidating a witness and sexual battery Dec. 28.
Judge Richard Martin asked Deputy District Attorney Ed Borg if it was the office”s practice not to talk to investigators before hearings. Martin told Borg if the court continues to postpone the case it could be dismissed.
Borg said it was a miscommunication and that sheriff”s officers have been investigating the case since they learned of the allegations. Borg said it wasn”t defense attorney Stephen Carter”s fault but he didn”t know the attorney didn”t pick up the discovery.
Puryear waived time for the preliminary hearing.
On Monday, Martin denied Carter”s request to reduce bail, citing Puryear has a domestic violence conviction and to protect the public and victim, Martin said.
Puryear remains in custody at the Lake County Jail on $250,000 bail.
Gateway Ministries on Big Valley Road in Finley was formerly known as Big Valley Community Church.
Contact Katy Sweeny at ksweeny@record-bee.com or call her directly at 263-5636, ext. 37.
