The preliminary exam for Joseph Louis Lucidi, 19, on two counts of criminal sexual conduct-2nd degree (relationship) and one charge of accosting a child for immoral purposes has been adjourned until Nov. 1 before 34th District Court Chief Judge Tina Brooks Green.
The crimes allegedly took place on July 1, 2016 in Van Buren Township.
The court docket indicated that the preliminary exam had been set for Sept. 20, but Lucidi’s retained attorney David I. Goldstein said that was a mistake and it was the probable cause conference that had been adjourned by Judge Brian Oakley on Aug. 23 to the Sept. 20 date.
Judge Oakley had adjourned the probable cause conference because the special prosecutor on the case was not present. Attorney Goldstein said an adjournment was fine with him because he needed to get some discovery (evidence) from VBT.
Goldstein told Judge Green that he now has the 911 tape evidence he sought when he had asked for the delay, but Sept. 20 was supposed to be a probable cause conference, not the preliminary exam.
Judge Green said it appears that there was a mistake made somewhere. Wayne County Assistant Prosecutor Greg Akaraz said he remembers adjourning the exam, not the probable cause conference.
But, he said, he would have to fill in for the special prosecutor assigned to the criminal sexual conduct case if the exam was held Sept. 20, so he would be glad to adjourn it.
Van Buren Township Detective Donovan McCarthy, the officer in charge of the case, said the witnesses for the preliminary exam were present and ready to testify, but, “We’re all on the same page” and he was all right with another postponement.
Prosecutor Akaraz said Special Prosecutor Melissa Palepu has schedule conflicts because of trials.
Judge Green adjourned the preliminary exam until 10 a.m., Nov 1, in her courtroom.
Lucidi is free after posting his $15,000/10% bond.
Ramon Luther Jewell
Ramon Luther Jewell, 35, who is charged with first-degree retail fraud in VBT on July 3, demanded holding of his preliminary exam. That was scheduled for Oct. 4 in Judge Oakley’s courtroom. Jewell is free after posting $10,000/10% bond. VBT Det. Ken Toney is the officer in charge of the case.