Trial Date for Two South Dakota Men Charged With Knowingly Exposing Others to HIV Postponed
The trial date for two South Dakota men charged with intentionally exposing others to HIV has been postponed until early 2003, the Aberdeen American News reports. William Jenigen, 35, and Jay Woods, 41, were originally scheduled to stand trial on Sept. 16, but the date has been pushed back to Jan. 6, 2003, to give both prosecution and defense lawyers time to prepare for the case. Jenigen faces six counts of "intentionally exposing unknowing partners to HIV," while Woods faces three identical charges. None of the 31 men and women tested for HIV as a result of the case have been found to be infected with the virus thus far. Under South Dakota law, each count of intentional HIV exposure carries a felony charge punishable by up to 15 years in prison and/or a $15,000 fine (Fennell, Aberdeen American News, 8/23). The two arrests are not related to the charges against Nikko Briteramos, a SiTanka Huron University student charged with knowingly exposing a woman to HIV, but the three men are the first to be charged under the state's law (Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, 5/15).
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