Suspect waits for fifth trial date in January

ST. IGNATIUS – Athena Scharnhorst was slumped over behind the wheel of a passenger car in the middle of an intersection when a Lake County Sheriff’s deputy found her, according to Lake County court records.

And when Mission Valley Ambulance EMTs transported her to St. Luke Community Hospital, medical professionals learned why.

The incident took place Aug. 4, 2013 near the corner of Lemery and Hillside roads near St. Ignatius.

Court records show that transporting EMTs suspected Scharnhorst was experiencing drug overdose and notified emergency dispatchers.

A Lake County Sheriff’s deputy arrived at Saint Luke to question the defendant, “who could barely keep her eyes open,” records said.

Scharnhorst’s speech was slow, slurred and raspy and was in no condition to drive a car, the deputy said.

After further questioning, Scharnhorst admitted to a little drinking, a few pills and drugs she injected through her ankles, court records said. She was later found to have drug paraphernalia in her personal belongings and told cops she was, “messed up.”

In addition, Scharnhorst told the deputy she had no idea where she was. Maybe that’s why she did not appear in Lake County Court for her September 2013 arraignment.

Three months later, Scharnhorst was arrested and placed in the Lake County Court system, released, failed to fill out her public-defender paperwork and was issued a warrant.

This spring, Scharnhorst was arrested again, which prompted Lake County prosecutors to consider Scharnhorst, who plead not guilty, as a flight risk. Prosecutors said Scharnhorst had three prior felonies.

Judge Deborah Kim Christopher quashed the warrant idea, and instead and set a standard omnibus hearing and trial schedule.

Four trial date changes later, in August 2014 Scharnhorst plead guilty.

But before her sentencing, Scharnhorst and her attorney threw another kink into her legal maze: She asked to withdraw her guilty plea. Her attorney wants to review all the paperwork in the case and set up a standard jury trial.

Scharnhorst’s fifth jury trial is set for Jan. 26.