Wix trial set for early 2010

MEEKER I John Wix will have his day in court.
A trial date was set Friday for March 1-4, 2010, and running through March 8-9, if needed.
Wix, 51, a Meeker native and businessman, pleaded not guilty Friday in district court to a charge of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, a class 4 felony.
His attorney, David Beller of Denver, who was present in court Friday, along with Wix, said, “I’m having a hard time finding factual support for the charge.”
Wix was charged following an incident Aug. 1 at his cabin upriver, where a 15-year-old was tested the next day for a potentially lethal level of alcohol poisoning.
In a previous statement, Wix’s attorney said on his client’s behalf, “… John was neither present for the party that took place, nor did he supply alcohol to anyone underage. It is unfortunate that this upstanding member of the community now fights for his good reputation because of this overzealous prosecution. John looks forward to having this issue put behind him and his family as soon as possible.”
Through his attorney Friday, Wix waived the formal reading of the charge.
“Mr. Wix has been fully advised of the matter,” attorney Beller told Judge Gail Nichols, who set the trial date after consulting with Beller and Deputy District Attorney Jay Barasch.
The judge scheduled a status conference for Dec. 18.
“Mr. Wix, I will have you appear,” Nichols said. “That will be your next court appearance.”
A pretrial conference was slated for Feb. 5.
“You’ll also be expected to be here, Mr. Wix,” the judge said.
When asked by the judge, Beller said the defense expected to call five to 10 witnesses during the trial, while prosecutor Barasch said he expected to call 10 to 12 witnesses.
Meanwhile, Wix’s attorney said he intended to request a bill of particulars within 10 days of Friday’s hearing, asking the DA to provide more specifically of the charge against his client.