From staff reports

The Minnesota Supreme Court refused late last week to hear an appeal by Juan Ortiz, who is accused of attacking two Freeborn County Jailers last summer in an apparent escape attempt.

Monday, July 02, 2001

The Minnesota Supreme Court refused late last week to hear an appeal by Juan Ortiz, who is accused of attacking two Freeborn County Jailers last summer in an apparent escape attempt.

Ortiz faces three charges stemming from the assault.

His attorney had filed the appeal concerning a charge of first-degree assault, use of deadly force. Ortiz is accused of punching the jailers, which attorneys argued did not constitute use of deadly force. The charge was originally thrown out by a lower court for lack of probable cause.

The ruling means Ortiz’s trial will move forward as scheduled on July 17.

Ortiz faces two other charges: fourth-degree assault and attempt to escape custody.

If convicted, he could be sentenced to 20 years in prison and $35,000 in fines for the first-degree assault charge.