Court rules against woman charged in burglaries

There is sufficient probable cause to continue a criminal court case against a Sidney woman alleged to have participated in a string of burglaries throughout Cheyenne County, a judge ruled this week.

Mindy Richmond, 34, was arrested in June after another woman, Tanya Yates, approached the Sidney Police Department and told authorities Richmond had broken into more than 100 homes to steal prescription medication, cash and designer clothing.

Richmond is facing 21 felony burglary charges and was released from custody in July after posting a $100,000 bond. No charges have been filed against Yates, who told police she had rode along with Richmond to the homes. However, Doug Warner, a special prosecutor appointed to pursue the charges against Richmond, has said Yates will face charges following the conclusion of the Richmond case.

Last summer, a county court judge ruled it was likely the alleged crimes had been committed and that Richmond had committed them. He ordered her case to be transferred to Cheyenne County District Court, where felony cases are heard.

Richmond’s attorney, James Korth, subsequently filed a plea in abatement on behalf of his client, arguing there was insufficient evidence to support the charges.

On Thursday, District Court Judge Derek Weimer issued an order finding the evidence presented in county court was sufficient to continue the court case against the defendant.

“The defendant argues principally that the evidence adduced in this matter is principally based on the statements made by Mrs. Yates and that she has credibility issues,” the order reads. “The defendant also raises the issue of the evidence that was adduced regarding the items that were alleged to have been taken.”

Those issues are best left for determination at the time of a trial, Weimer ruled.

“The only concern of the court at this stage is whether sufficient evidence was adduced that is sufficient to sustain probable cause to believe that the crimes occurred and that the defendant committed those crimes,” he wrote. “The court finds that the evidence before the county court establishes probable cause to support the charge made against the defendant.”

Richmond is scheduled to be arraigned on the charges in Cheyenne County District Court at 9:30 a.m. on Dec. 2.