James Exline’s defense attorney is requesting a new trial.

According to online court documents, Exline’s defense attorney Daniel Gonnerman filed a motion for a new trial following a guilty conviction by a jury on June 6th of Exline’s charges of a Class A Felony for second degree sexual abuse and a Class C Felony for third degree sexual abuse. Exline abused his 12-year-old daughter Paige Exline from June 2016 to April 2017. Paige was one of two victims that died in a house fire in Guthrie Center in May of 2017. Exline faces up to 75 years in prison. A hearing is scheduled for 10:30am in the Greene County Courthouse. A decision for a new trial may be made at that time and sentencing may or may not happen at that time.

It took three attempts to take Exline to trial. The first time was declared a mistrial by District Court Judge James Crew in October 2017 in Greene County, due to media exposure not allowing for an impartial jury to be selected. The second attempted was also declared a mistrial in Cerro Gordo County this past May when the jury was exposed to information about pending charges in a separate case in Guthrie County.

James’s son Noah is charged with seven Class B Felonies for second degree sexual abuse. He is accused of sexually abusing his sister Paige seven times in a three year period from ages nine to 12. According to court documents, Noah’s jury trial has been scheduled for October 30th, but a location has not been determined. James’s stepson Patrick Thompson is charged with murder and arson for the house fire and is slated to have his trial in September with a location yet to be determined.

 

Raccoon Valley Radio will bring you more information as it becomes official.