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Neil Hopkins with attorney Jennifer Kuiper-Weise.
Defendant in CSC case found competent to stand trial.
#OceanaCountyCrime
By Allison Scarbrough. Editor.
HART — The criminal sexual conduct case against a 41-year-old Lafayette, Indiana man is headed to trial in April.
Neil Ashley Hopkins, of 1330 Sheron Chapel Rd., was found competent to stand trial after recently undergoing psychiatric testing.
Hopkins, who is currently free on a $50,000/cash/surety bond, was arrested last March by the Michigan State Police for three felony counts of first-degree CSC – victim under 13 years old.
The alleged incidents occurred during January of 2014 to January of 2017 in Pentwater Township, according to Hopkins’ court file. First-degree CSC is punishable by up to life in prison.
Hopkins’ attorney, Jennifer Kuiper-Weise, made a motion last December in 27th Circuit Court to quash the 25-year mandatory minimum term, but Judge Robert D. Springstead denied the motion.
A three-day jury trial will be scheduled at the end of April.
This story is copyrighted © 2017, all rights reserved by Media Group 31, LLC, PO Box 21, Scottville, MI 49454. No portion of this story or images may be reproduced in any way, including print or broadcast, without expressed written consent.
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