Derek Bailey Trials Consolidated

Former Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians Tribal Councilor Derek Bailey will face one trial instead of two after attorneys Monday agreed to consolidate the hearings of two separate alleged victims. Bailey is charged with five counts of criminal sexual conduct involving two female minors.

At Monday's pretrial conference in 13th Circuit Court, Leelanau County Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Doug Donaldson also agreed to turn over possible digital evidence against Bailey to defense attorney Craig Elhart by the end of August. Donaldson told The Ticker his office was still waiting for the analysis of Bailey's phone and computer devices to be completed. In regards to a request by Elhart to obtain victim therapy records, Judge Philip Rodgers ordered the records be submitted to the court marked 'personal and confidential.' Rodgers will review the files for any potential exculpatory evidence that should be turned over to the defense.

While a new consolidated trial date has not yet been set for Bailey, Donaldson told The Ticker he anticipated it could be October before trial begins.