Friday, March 30, 2007

Plea agreement expected in Samudio case

Hailey teen accused of robbing Ketchum convenience store

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By TERRY SMITH
Express Staff Writer

A plea agreement is in the works for Samuel Samudio, an 18-year-old Hailey man who is accused of using a loaded shotgun to steal a 12-pack of beer from Veltex Market in Ketchum on Aug. 19, 2006.

Hailey attorney Keith Roark, who is representing Samudio, said Tuesday that he expects to reach an agreement with the Blaine County Prosecuting Attorney's by April 10, the day of Samudio's next scheduled appearance in 5th District Court. Roark said his client could enter a guilty plea on that day but that the terms of the plea agreement are still being negotiated.

Samudio, who was 17 when he allegedly robbed Veltex, is charged with three felonies: robbery, second-degree kidnapping and assault with intent to commit a serious felony.

Accompanied by his mother, Samudio attended a status hearing Tuesday before District Court Judge Barry Wood, who is hearing the case after Blaine County District Court Judge Robert J. Elgee disqualified himself on a motion filed by Prosecuting Attorney Jim Thomas.

Samudio, sporting a neatly trimmed beard and moustache, confirmed that he remains under house arrest at his mother's home in Hailey. He was released from jail shortly after his arrest on Aug. 19 after posting $150,000 bond.

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Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Warren Christiansen said Samudio is apparently abiding by the terms of his release.

"I haven't heard any bad reports or anything like that," Christiansen said.