Weinbrenner Molestation Trial Dismissed

By Tom Scott

LAS CRUCES — The trial of Lance Weinbrenner, the former teacher and Boy Scout troop leader accused of molesting a teenage boy was dismissed Friday morning.

The defense asked the judge to dropcounts 1 and 2against Weinbrenner, arguing that the prosecution failed to prove ‘force and coercion’ as an element in those charges.The judge agreed andgranted the dismissalThursday.

Friday, the prosecution teamrequested the judge reconsider those counts, butthe judge disagreed with the arguments.

Prosecuting attorneys made the decision not subject the accuser to further trial. They requested the third count be dismissed. Because of ‘double jeopardy’ laws, Weinbrenner cannot be retried.

More information will be available in our later newscasts as it is released.