A former restaurant owner from Stevensville will not likely face trial in his sexual assault case until late this year or early next year.
The Berrien County Prosecutor’s office tells us Raffaele Santaniello had been scheduled to go on trial the week of October 23. However, at a case conference before Judge Angela Pasula this week, it was noted Santaniello has appealed to the Michigan Supreme Court.
Assistant Prosecutor Taylor Koch tells us it can take six to eight months for that court to issue a decision, so it’s unlikely Santaniello’s scheduled trial date will hold.
He’s charged with criminal sexual conduct in the third degree, six counts of criminal sexual conduct in the fourth degree, and kidnapping, all stemming allegations from three separate victims who were employed by Santaniello when he owned Santaniello’s Glenlord Restaurant and Pizzeria. The business has since closed.
