Beach, ND  (Dickinson Press) The first of three jury trials for the former LaMoure police chief accused of continuous sexual abuse of a child began in Beach on Wednesday.

The Dickinson Press reports, 52 year old James G. Watson, of LaMoure, faces the following charges:

  • Golden Valley County: One count of continuous sexual abuse of a child, a Class AA felony.
  • Hettinger County: One count of gross sexual imposition, a Class AA felony.
  • Stark County: One count of continuous sexual abuse of a child, a Class AA felony.

Watson appeared in front of Southwest District Court Judge William Herauf along with his attorney, Kevin McCabe, at the Golden Valley Courthouse in Beach for the Golden Valley case.

After some deliberation,  Wednesday, Judge Herauf moved to recess for the day in order to make a decision about whether he would allow testimony about the alleged acts in Mississippi. The case will resume at 9 a.m. on Thursday, February, 1.