Trial is now coming in August for Eric Hawkins, the former Emporia chiropractor accused of rape and sexual battery.
As part of a motions hearing Tuesday, Judge Merlin Wheeler joined a rape count alleged against a teenager and an aggravated sexual battery count against a 22-year-old woman, meaning they would be heard as part of the same procedures when trial begins Aug. 19. Hawkins’ defense team was hoping to have the cases severed, meaning separate trials for the different charges.
The sexual battery and alternate battery charge against a 32-year-old woman will be part of a separate trial Aug. 26.
Hawkins stands accused of raping the teenager in November 2015, aggravated sexual battery against the then-22-year-old a year ago and sexual battery against the then-32-year-old in March 2015. Potential trial dates were on the docket for March 15, March 18 or April 29 before Judge Wheeler’s decision Tuesday to move trial to summertime.
