Opening statements in Walstrom case expected Monday

It’s been two years since former Minnesota Correctional Facility-Red Wing employee Suzanne Walstrom was charged with criminal sexual conduct for allegedly molesting inmates. After several delays due to scheduling conflicts and evidence gathering, the trial finally got underway April 9.

Jury selection lasted all last week, and Court Administrator Yvonne Black said opening statements are expected Monday, with Judge Thomas Bibus presiding.

According to a court complaint filed April 14, 2010, Walstrom forced a 17-year-old boy to touch her sexually, and she sexually fondled a second male who was 17 at the time. A second complaint filed Aug. 20, 2010, accuses her of having a romantic relationship with a third inmate, who was 18, in which they exchanged more than 100 letters and regularly engaged in sexual encounters on prison grounds.

Walstrom faces one third-degree criminal sexual conduct charge and two fourth-degree criminal sexual assault charges.

Tags: crime and courts, red wing, crime, news