BONNERS FERRY — Eric S. Marti pleads not guilty on the two counts of rape, waived rights to hear the counts against him during his arraignment hearing on Wednesday, Feb.3.

In a criminal complaint filed by Boundary County Detective Caleb Watts on Dec. 8, the complaint alleges two counts of rape against Eric Steven Marti.

The first count alleges penetration of a female who was 16-years-old at the time of the incident; According to the report, the defendant was 26-years-old during the first count of rape that occurred from March to October.

The second count alleges another rape encounter on Halloween, Oct. 31.

In the criminal complaint report, “Complainant, therefore, prays that said Defendant, Eric Steven Marti, be dealt with according to law.”

On Jan. 15, the preliminary hearing was waived. If the state can show that Marti probably committed the crime, he will be required to appear in District Court to enter a plea to charges.

Marti will answer to the District Court of First Judicial District of the State of Idaho for violating statute 18-6101.

An arraignment in District Court was conducted on Feb. 3, 2021, at 9 a.m. with presiding Judge Barbara A. Buchanan. Public defender Linda Payne represents Marti.

Payne has over 18 years of experience as an attorney and has experience as a public defender for Kootenai and Boundary County.

Judge Buchanan asked for what time would be most convenient for the defendant, but there was no preference for the dates because there were talks of negotiations with the prosecutor.

“Whatever is convenient for the court, we are in negotiations,” Payne said

A pre-trial is set for May 19, and a trial date for June 8, at 9 a.m.