Wildman tells judge he wants a quicker trial

Cresco resident Dan Wildman, who faces five criminal charges, including three counts of attempted murder, has told a judge he is getting tired of being in jail.

Wildman spoke at a preliminary hearing held to determine whether the trial in his case could be postponed.  Prosecutors had asked for the delay because their star witness would be out of the state at a training seminar during the date that had been scheduled for the trial.

Appearing before Judge Michael Shubatt, Wildman testified that he has been in jail for eight months--ever since he was arrested last November--and that often he has been in solitary confinement.

Prosecuting attorney Andy Van der Maaten argued that Wildman "would not be prejudiced by the delay," and Judge Shubatt agreed.  The trial--which originally was scheduled for January 9th, but has been postponed six times, often at the defense attorney's request--will now be held July 31st.