Austin Daily Herald

Sentencing was delayed Friday afternoon in the criminal sexual conduct case of Willard James Stahl, 34 of Austin.

According to a Mower County Third Judicial District court spokesperson, the delay was ordered by the Minnesota Department of Corrections.

The DOC is conducting the pre-sentencing investigation for the court. No new sentencing date was set.

Stahl was found guilty after a two-day jury trial (March 31 and April 10). The jury needed less than three hours to find Stahl guilty of the charges.

Stahl was originally charged with three counts of first degree criminal sexual conduct and one other count.

Stahl was arrested Aug. 25, 2000, after an investigation by the Austin Police Department. The victim was a family member less than 13 years of age.

The defendant remains in the Mower County Jail.