A new trial for Chan Su Choi, a 44-year-old Friday Harbor man, will be set in San Juan County Superior Court.

Choi was initially charged with child molestation and later rape of a child, and went to trial in April. The proceedings resulted in a mistrial after jurors could not come to a unanimous decision.

“I was surprised,” Deputy Prosecutor Theresa Barnett said. “But the jurors worked very hard, and were disappointed in being unable to reach a verdict.”

The new trial does not have to be an exact repeat, according to Barnett. For example, any new evidence will be admitted, and the prosecution and defense could present their case differently and with new witnesses.

On April 29, Choi’s original attorney, Robert Bulloch, filed an intent to withdraw, and on May 9, Joshua R. Saunders and Sarra Marie with Marshall & Saunders filed a notice of limited appearance for the May 12 hearing, and the order setting the trial for May 21 notes Bulloch’s request to withdraw.

Case background

A minor reported in April 2024 that she had been molested by Choi during the previous year.

The victim said she had been “building up the bravery” to talk about it after a SAFE San Juans advocate visited the school’s health class the month before. When asked by the deputy if the alleged abuse went beyond molestation, she said no.

In May, the victim spoke to a child forensic interviewer at the Brigid Collins Child Advocacy Center, where she gave a similar report.

Choi was brought in for questioning at the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office two days later. He stated he did not recall doing what the victim described and would “never” do what he’s been accused of. Choi was charged, arraigned and released at the end of May.

In November, Bulloch submitted a motion to dismiss the charges based on insufficient evidence, citing the State v. Knapsted precedent. Judge Kathryn Loring denied the motion.

This January, the victim asked to speak with law enforcement to report “snapshots” of memories that were returning to her. She described being raped by the defendant, starting when she was in kindergarten and continuing for several years. She alleged that Choi told her not to tell anyone.

Colleen Smith Summers contributed to this story.