While two men charged with a University-area burglary and rape are just starting the Hennepin County legal process of court appearances, a third man charged in the incident is headed to trial.
Victor M. Porter, 20, appeared Friday before Hennepin County District Judge John Holahan. Porter is scheduled to stand trial March 31, 1997, on charges of aiding Antonio D. Burton and Puiassance J. Andersen during the Oct. 8 burglary. Porter is also charged with receiving stolen goods.
Porter is held pending a $35,000 bail for the Hennepin County charges. He is also being held for Ramsey County charges stemming from a September 1996 incident of sexual misconduct involving a minor.
Meanwhile, Burton, 20, and Puiassance Andersen, 20, are in Minnesota awaiting first appearances before a Hennepin County judge for their involvement in the rape and burglary incident.
Burton and Puiassance Andersen were extradited on Friday to Minnesota from Wisconsin. The men were jailed in Eau Claire, Wis., on charges that include eluding police and operating a stolen vehicle. They were arrested Oct. 9 in Wisconsin after a high-speed car chase.
Just starting the legal process of appearances, Puissance Andersen could be appointed a public defender on Tuesday if he is found eligible. He is currently being held in lieu of $80,000 bail for the Oct. 8 charges. However, Andersen also has two prior charges, disorderly conduct and tampering with a motor vehicle, which do not allow for a bail release.
According to the Hennepin County jail records, Burton is not yet scheduled to appear before a judge.
He will most likely appear Tuesday because of a court mandate that demands a person charged with a felony make an appearance within 24 hours of arrest. In Burton’s case, the time guideline was adjusted for the weekend and Veteran’s Day. He is currently being held in lieu of $100,000 bail.
A fourth man charged in the incident, Giezwa P. Andersen, 19, is also in custody in Hennepin County.