Steven Cugini, a former York City Police officer charged with sexually abusing an infant child while off-duty, appeared before Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas President Judge Scott Arthur Evans this morning for a plea hearing.
Before Judge Evans, it was revealed that Cugini’s attorney, Erin Kraska, had filed a petition to withdraw as the former York City Police officer’s counsel on Wednesday, Dec. 4, according to court documents, due to Cugini’s lack of funds.
According to Kraska, she had requested additional funding in June, but Cugini has expressed to her that he does not have funds to continue to pay her.
Cugini, of Springettsbury Township, resigned from his position with the York City Police Department in April of this year and has no financial assets at the moment, according to Kraska.
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“He no longer wished for me to defend him,” Kraska told the court. Cugini sought out a public defender but was initially denied, though Judge Evans has instructed him to return and inform the chief public defender of the nature of his charges, which include rape of a child, aggravated indecent assault of a child and aggravated assault — attempts to cause serious bodily injury or causes injury with extreme indifference.
The commonwealth told Judge Evans the case “can go to trial at any time,” though the Kraska has not yet presented them with an expert witness.
Kraska said the reason for her delay in securing an expert witness is a delay in attempts to receive further evidence. “There is still outstanding discovery,” she said.
Kraska, a former chief deputy district attorney with York County, is currently a senior associate attorney with Abom & Kutulakis LLC in Carlisle.
Cugini is expected to appear in court next on Jan. 2, 2025, at 8:30 a.m.
This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Ex-York cop accused of sexually abusing infant seeks public defender