BONNERS FERRY — At separate April 4 arraignment hearings, Naples couple Katherine Cowell and Richard Cowell III entered not guilty pleas to charges they allegedly conspired in the sexual abuse of minors for several years. 

A five-day jury trial for Katherine Cowell has been set to start July 14 in Bonner County. A pretrial conference is scheduled for June 18. 

A five-day jury trial for Richard Cowell III is slated to start June 9 with a pretrial conference May 21. However, defense attorney Dana Bowes said at the arraignment that she is “a couple weeks behind” on the investigation, so the defense council may request a continued trial date. 

Both face up to life in prison for two felony charges. In February, Katherine Cowell was charged with two counts of lewd conduct with a child under 16, and Richard Cowell III was charged with criminal conspiracy and rape of a minor under 16. 

Both defense councils requested a bond reduction, and in each case, those reductions were denied by Idaho District 1 Judge Susie Jensen. 

“This is one of the most egregious types of charges that can be brought against someone,” Jensen said during Katherine Cowell’s arraignment. 

Katherine Cowell’s defense attorney Catherine Enright had requested a bond reduction to $20,000. She said that at least one of Richard or Katherine Cowell should be afforded a bond amount that could be reasonably posted so someone could take care of their house, which could soon face foreclosure. 

Additionally, Enright said Katherine Cowell has significant ties to the community, as a supporter of local families with disabled children. 

Prosecuting attorney Sarah Hyde disagreed with the request, saying if any sexual abuse cases are worthy of a $1 million bail, it’s those involving Katherine and Richard Cowell. 

Jensen ultimately denied the reduction because of the severity of the charges and the fact that Katherine Cowell’s ties to the community have been mostly, if not completely, severed. 

Jensen made the same decision for Richard Cowell III, whose council requested a reduction to $30,000 so he could work to provide money for his children, referencing a recent GoFundMe established to raise money for his children’s needs. 

Jensen also ruled that pretrial release of the couple would be a threat to the safety of the children, and the two are a flight risk to the community.