Not guilty plea for CoiNuts owner

COEUR d'ALENE - It has taken some time.

Indicted back in March, CoiNuts owner-operator Kevin Mitchell has now been arraigned.

Mitchell, 48, didn't speak at his arraignment hearing Tuesday, so 1st District Judge Fred Gibler entered a not guilty plea on his behalf.

Following the hearing, Mitchell declined to comment on the case or the long process.

"I guess it is what it is," Mitchell said. "I'm not in charge of the speed."

Mitchell is charged with felony grand theft by false promise, relating to the operation of his business just off U.S. 95 at 296 W. Sunset Ave. It is closed.

A trial date wasn't scheduled Tuesday, but Gibler set a status conference for Aug. 21, giving both sides more time to consider an appropriate date. The trial is expected last 10 to 14 days.

Linda J. Payne, a public defender representing Mitchell, requested and received multiple continuances of the arraignment. She wasn't present Tuesday.

In her place was public defender Brad Chapman, who said the defense will need additional time to prepare for trial, too.

"It's an extremely complex case," Chapman told Gibler.

He said Mitchell's defense will thoroughly scrutinize the 700-plus page grand jury transcript.

A grand jury indictment against Mitchell says he allegedly schemed to defraud a number of customers at his coin shop. His stepdaughter, who worked at the shop, also was indicted this year.