Invasion of privacy trial for former La Plata County Jail commander postponed
Invasion of privacy trial for former La Plata County Jail commander postponed
Publish Date: 2026-05-14 16:58:00
Source Domain: www.durangoherald.com
Scheduling change upsetting for some alleged victims
Edward Aber, former commander of the La Plata County Jail, on Dec. 13, 2022. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)
Former La Plata County Jail Cmdr. Edward Aber was scheduled to stand trial in early August on misconduct and invasion of privacy charges. During a Thursday hearing, the defense and the prosecution agreed to push the trial to November.
The change was made due to scheduling conflicts and the courts being closed for a half-day during the original trial week.
During Thursday’s hearing, Judge Richard Schmittel said he “has to take some responsibility” for the change of plans. He did not realize the courts would be closed half the day Aug. 11, which would have been the second day of the original weeklong trial, he said.
Schmittel said the case involves “a lot of moving parts” and it was best to reschedule the trial rather than try to adjust around the court closure.
“I recognize there are a lot of emotions in this case … and it should not be rushed,” he said.
The trial is now scheduled for the week of Nov. 2 – nearly three months later than the original date.
Rescheduling was an arduous process for the defense and the prosecution.
At least four different rescheduling options – all of which would have been sooner than the date decided upon – were floated before the November date was chosen.
It…
