Welfare stamp theft case delayed
Wednesday, May 23, 2001
Steamboat Springs — A change in prosecutors has delayed a criminal case involving a 26-year-old German man who allegedly bought $4,000 worth of food when his food stamp debit card was mistakenly credited with more than $10,000.
Sascha Karl Fischer's case has been delayed until 1 p.m. June 4 because of the departure of former Deputy District Attorney Charles Feldmann.
On Monday, Deputy District Attorney Elizabeth Wittemyer was assigned to the case.
In early March, Fischer pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to felony theft and three other charges. Because of the plea, Fischer has undergone insanity and competency evaluations at the Colorado State Mental Health Institute in Pueblo.
Fischer's case was expected to move forward Monday, but Wittemyer requested some time to review the evaluations, Wittemyer said.
In the time 14th Judicial Judge Richard P. Doucette has granted, he expects for Wittemyer and Fischer's attorney, William Schurman, to discuss the case to get it moving forward. When the case resumes, Schurman will not contest his client's competency.
However, a decision about the insanity issue has not been determined. Fischer maintains he is not insane but has a mental deficiency. Fischer faces the felony theft charge because on Jan. 31 he allegedly bought $4,000 worth of meat and seafood.
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