Witness removes himself from Dasen list

| October 19, 2004 1:00 AM

The Daily Inter Lake

The list of potential witnesses on behalf of Kalispell businessman Dick Dasen Sr. is down by at least one.

Dasen's attorney, George Best, on Friday filed a list of 35 expected defense witnesses in Dasen's prostitution case.

State Rep. Verdell Jackson, R-Kalispell, didn't know he was on the list until his wife read Jackson's name in a newspaper story about it Saturday.

On Monday morning, Jackson called Best and asked to be removed from the list "because of my moral stand," he said.

While he could testify in a limited way about Dasen's community deeds, Jackson said "it would be counterproductive" to Dasen's defense if Jackson was cross-examined about what he thinks of the accusations against Dasen.

The people on Best's witness list, including numerous local business leaders, have not necessarily consented to being called as witnesses, any more than prosecution witnesses have agreed to take part in the trial.

Some could be compelled to testify by subpoena.

Jackson said Best agreed to strike him from the witness list.

Dasen, 62, has pleaded innocent to promotion of prostitution, aggravated promotion of prostitution, sexual intercourse without consent and sexual abuse of children.

A monthlong trial is scheduled to begin in January.