The upcoming sexual assault trial of 28-year-old Hunter Ingram remains on schedule following a series of pretrial rulings in Wabash County Circuit Court Monday.
During the hearing, Judge William C. Hudson granted part of the State's motion in limine and denied a defense motion seeking to use certain evidence for impeachment purposes. However, the judge also ruled that prosecutors will be prohibited from introducing evidence concerning the alleged victim's prior sexual history.
The court also denied another defense motion seeking to exclude evidence. Hudson found that evidence identified by the prosecution under Illinois statute 115-7.3 may be presented at trial, ruling that its probative value is not substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice.
In another development, a motion filed by prosecutors to bar a defense expert witness was declared moot after the defense withdrew the expert from its witness list.
Jury selection is scheduled to begin July 6 at 9 a.m., with opening statements and testimony set to begin July 8 by agreement of both parties.
Hudson also ruled that Ingram will remain in custody, finding his continued detention is necessary to avoid a real, specific, and present threat to the community.
Ingram is charged with criminal sexual assault and aggravated criminal sexual abuse stemming from an alleged incident on November 17, 2024, at a residence in the 600 block of West 6th Street in Mt. Carmel. The charges resulted from an investigation by the Mt. Carmel Police Department.
Ingram has pleaded not guilty and has remained in the Wabash County Jail since his arrest in November 2024.
