Plea change set in Coeur d’Alene kidnapping case

A Coeur d’Alene sex offender accused of assaulting and trying to kidnap a woman he worked with last fall may plead guilty next week.

Jason A. Edwards, 45, who worked at the Coeur d’Alene Press, had pleaded not guilty to attempted first-degree kidnapping, battery with intent to commit a serious felony and aggravated assault in the Nov. 1 incident outside the newspaper’s downtown office.

On Monday, Edwards’ attorney asked a judge to schedule a change-of-plea hearing in the case. That hearing is set for next Monday morning.

If convicted of the felonies, Edwards would face additional prison time for allegedly using a deadly weapon, a knife, in the commission of a felony. His prior conviction of lewd conduct with a 4-year-old girl could add additional time to his sentence.

Edwards also faces a misdemeanor charge of driving under the influence. A burglary charge was dropped Tuesday. He initially was charged with attempted rape as well, but that was changed to battery.

A 27-year-old woman working an early shift at the newspaper told police Edwards put his arm around her, verbally threatened her and held a knife to her stomach as he walked her to his van and attempted to open the van door. The victim said she broke free and took the knife from Edwards, cutting his hand. She fled and locked herself inside the newspaper office.

Coeur d’Alene police arrested Edwards near his residence at Northwest Boulevard and Davidson Avenue. He no longer works at the Coeur d’Alene Press.