Two former nursing home aides in Albert Lea, Minn., will ask a judge to rule inadmissible some statements they and other aides made to investigators that led to 19 charges that they physically, emotionally and sexually abused seven nursing home residents with dementia.
In a sign that they intend to contest the charges, attorneys for Brianna Broitzman and Ashton Larson, both 19, are asking for hearings so they can quiz investigators about statements from the aides at the Good Samaritan Albert Lea home, Freeborn County Attorney Craig Nelson said Wednesday.
"Except for work records, that's really the only evidence there is -- the statements they all made to investigators," Nelson said. He said attorneys for both defendants notified him of the contested-hearing motions late Tuesday.
Larson is scheduled to appear in Freeborn County District Court Monday and Broitzman a week later.
In December, Broitzman and Larson were charged with fifth-degree assault, abuse, disorderly conduct and failing to report suspected maltreatment, all gross misdemeanors. Four other aides were charged in juvenile court with not reporting the alleged abuse. One has pleaded guilty.
WARREN WOLFE
