ASTORIA, Ore. (AP) — An Oregon man is heading back to court for another trial on child pornography charges after it was discovered he never signed paperwork allowing a judge to proceed with a conviction and sentencing.
Charles Ray Pugh of Astoria was convicted a year ago of 18 counts of encouraging child abuse by possessing child pornography.
But the Clatsop County district attorney’s office said it had learned the 61-year-old Pugh had not signed paperwork to waive his right to a jury trial before his sentencing.
His attorney, Kris Kaino, said prosecutors will have to start all over again “as if the trial never occurred.”
