There were no surprises at a very quick pre-trial conference for Katherine Cowell before Judge Judy Jensen in a Bonner County Courtroom this morning, and five-day jury trial is expected to proceed as scheduled beginning at 9 a.m. Monday, July 14.
Cowell, born in 1974, was charged with two counts of lewd conduct with a child under 16 for allegedly sexually abusing two of her minor children. She and her husband, Richard Cowell III, ran Little Zoo Keeper Day Care from their home at the top of Peterson Hill in Boundary County.
He was charged on the same day as Katherine with criminal conspiracy and rape where the victim is under 16 and the perpetrator over 18 for sexually abusing the same victims. Both Katherine and Richard pled not guilty and both remain in custody in Bonner County in lieu of $1-million bond. Each face up to life in prison if convicted.
His five-day jury trial is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Monday, August 11, also in Bonner County with Judge Jensen presiding.