Joe White, Kanakuk: Sex abuse victim's lawyers trying to make us the bad guys

In a response filed today in U. S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, attorneys representing Joe White and Kanakuk in the sex abuse lawsuit filed against them by one of the underage victims of convicted child molester Pete Newman, say they are wrongfully being labeled as villains in the sparring over the trial date.

After the two sides met late last year and seemingly agreed to a June 2013 trial date, Kanakuk lawyers filed a motion asking for the case to be delayed until August because one of the legal team had a vacation scheduled for the trial time and because it would be the height of the camping season and many of those who would have to testify would not be available for work.

Attorney Linda Turley, representing the family of the sex abuse victim, argued that Kanakuk's proposed August 13 trial date would conflict with preparation for the beginning of the victim's senior year in high school.

The Kanakuk Defendants recognize that it is imperative that the trial not be scheduled
during John Doe I’s school year and have offered to make accommodations to avoid any conflict with John Doe I’s school schedule. That is why Defense counsel conferred with Plaintiffs’ counsel and proposed a date that would result in the least disruption to all parties’ schedules. Plaintiffs’ Response misstates or omits these conversations with Defense counsel in an attempt to inflame this Court and the public. Such tactics should not be tolerated by this Court.