Second Trial Begins For Polakoff
On July 17, the second trial of Nathan Polakoff began on a charge for which a previous jury was unable to come to a verdict. On March 10, 2023, a Carbon County jury found Polakoff not guilty of the first of two counts of felony assault on a minor for injuries that occurred on or about April 17 and 19, 2019, to a nine month old child. The jury was deadlocked (unable to come to a unanimous decision) on the other charge for the more grievous second injury. Polakoff and his attorneys maintain that this trial is a case of double jeopardy. Carbon County District Court Judge Matthew J. Wald, who oversaw the first trial and presides over these proceedings, has ruled it is not. Polakoff retains the right to challenge the outcome of this trial on the grounds of double jeopardy. An indictment is merely an accusation, and a defendant remains innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. Polakoff remains an innocent man unless and until found guilty in a court of law.