(Spirit Lake)– A judge this (Monday) morning denied a request for a bond reduction for a man accused of kidnapping, sexual abuse, burglary and false imprisonment in connection with an alleged incident last month at the Little Sioux Lutheran Church southwest of Milford.
Bond for Shane Laursen will remain at 158-thousand dollars, cash or surety.
During today’s bond reduction hearing, the alleged victim took the stand, a girl friend of Laursen and mother of a child they had together. The 21-year-old rural Milford woman testified that she went to the Dickinson County Attorney’s Office the day after the alleged incident to request charges against Laursen be dropped. She testified today that she’s worried Laursen could wind up in jail the rest of his life as a result of her…quoting…”saying some things while I was drunk”…unquote…and that he, Laursen, would no longer be able to see his daughter.
The alleged victim also testified that she feels Laursen is NOT a danger, and that a no-contact order between them should be removed.
County Attorney Rosalise Olsen referred to Laursen’s previous record, which includes charges of harassment and stalking and a conviction in Texas on possession of marijuana.
The judge agreed with Olsen, saying there’s no doubt the harm to the victim was significant.
During his arraignment today (Mon.), Laursen also pleaded not guilty to all the charges against him.
A trial date will be set at a later time.
