As Erika Dalquist's parents marked what would have been her 24th birthday Monday by visiting her grave, the man accused of killing her in 2002 lies semi-paralyzed in an Oak Park Heights prison bed. He has yet to enter a plea, but his day in court might be fast approaching.
A Crow Wing County district judge has scheduled an omnibus hearing for June 21, at which time William Myears could enter a plea to a charge of second-degree murder.
Myears, 26, was arraigned last June after he was extradited from Michigan, where he was working with a traveling carnival. He was arrested shortly after his description aired on the "America's Most Wanted" TV program.
He has not returned to court since because of a medical condition that has left him paralyzed from the waist down, according to his attorney, and his care over nine months has cost Crow Wing County well more than its entire prisoner medical care annual budget of $54,000.
"That's how much I have in my budget to pay [for medical expenses] for 150 inmates," said Sheriff Eric Klang.
Earlier this year, Myears' attorney, Greg Larson of Little Falls, Minn., asked the court to have Myears examined to determine whether he is mentally and physically competent to stand trial.
The scheduling of an omnibus hearing "historically speaking" suggests that the prosecution will be allowed to proceed, County Attorney Don Ryan said.
http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/5355737.html