Zumbahlen Case May Result in Negotiated Plea

James D. Zumbahlen's case on a number of child sex offenses may be concluded through a negotiated plea, rather than going to trial.

The 50-year-old Zumbahlen faces some 35 counts of sexual assault and abuse over a 20-year span.  There are a number of alleged victims in the case.

The Effingham man was scheduled to be tried May 5, but attorneys for both sides indicated during a pre-trial hearing Friday that they are working on a negotiated plea.  Judge Dennis Middendorff scheduled a hearing to consider the negotiated plea for that same May 5 date.