Bureau County trial for man accused of child sexual assault moved to December

PRINCETON — The trial for a Princeton man accused of sexually assaulting a child has been moved to December as attorneys for both sides argue final pretrial motions.

Jeffery G. Wallgren, 48 is accused of is accused of sexually abusing two children over approximately two concurrent four-year periods beginning when they both were about 8-9 years old. The current charges are related to the abuse of just one of the children.

State’s Attorney Geno Caffarini was successful in motioning to allow into trial that a domestic battery call to Wallgren’s residence is the event that led to the disclosure of the abuse.

Though Judge Marc Bernabei previously ruled that the subsequent interview with a health worker employed by Princeton Police would not be played before the jury, he will allow testimony by the victim, including that interview.

“It’s important for jurors to know it was disclosed during a domestic call, “ Caffarini said. “We want to introduce the conversation that took place, without disclosing the specifics, to show why (police) moved forward with a forensic interview with the child.”

Wallgren’s attorney, Assistant Public Defender Eric May argued that the state shouldn’t be able to disclose why police were called to the residence since the charges aren’t for domestic battery, however, the judge ruled in favor of Caffarini’s request to introduce that information for context.

Caffarini also told the judge he wants to hold until the next hearing a motion that would exclude spectators from the courtroom while minors are testifying.

A final pretrial is scheduled for Nov. 23.

Wallgren is held in Bureau County Jail on $300,000 bond, 10% of which must be applied for his release.