Music professor’s trial set for February

Music professor Thomas W. Barnett’s jury trial is set for 8:15 a.m. on Feb. 28 in St. Croix County Circuit Court in Hudson.

Barnett, who is on leave from UW-River Falls, appeared Friday in court before Judge Eric Lundell for a scheduling conference. His final pre-trial conference is scheduled for 10 a.m. Feb. 13.

Barnett is facing charges of second degree sexual assault of a minor and false imprisonment stemming from an alleged incident Aug. 16 at the Hudson Theatre. Barnett has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Also discussed briefly during the scheduling conference was the status of Barnett’s employment records with UWRF.  After both the defense attorney, Timothy O’Brien, and the assistant district attorney, Francis Collins, met privately with Judge Lundell, it was deemed that Barnett’s records will remain sealed unless a motion is made from either side.