[Vision2020] 01-07-05 Daily News: HIV Update

[Art Deco]

Eight felony counts added to Moscow HIV case; Kanay Mubita's court dates are this week 


By Omie Drawhorn
Daily News staff writer 

Moscow resident Kanay Mubita faces eight more felony counts related to his sexual relations with women who were unaware of his status as an HIV virus carrier. 
The move brings Mubita's tally to 15 felony charges. 

Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson said he will file the charges after the weekend when Judge Bill Hamlett is available. 

Mubita tested positive for the virus in December 2001 with the North Central Health District of Idaho and again in January 2002, according to Latah County court records. 

Mubita allegedly failed to tell any of his victims, some of whom wish to remain unidentified, of his HIV status before engaging in sexual intercourse, Thompson said. 

When questioned by Moscow police, Mubita denied knowing his HIV status, but the health district told police Mubita had been informed and had signed a disclosure stating he understood the punishment for exposing another person to the HIV virus, according to court records. 

Mubita's lawyer, Charles Kovis, was unavailable for comment. 

Mubita, who holds a Zambian passport, has been held at the Latah County Jail on a $20,000 bond since Dec. 7 when he was arrested and charged with the seven original counts. A court appearance is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Thursday and a preliminary hearing is set for 8:30 a.m. Friday. 

"The judge will decide if there will be an additional hearing for the new counts," Thompson said. 

The new victims could have heard about Mubita's HIV status through a variety of sources, including the media and additional victims, he added. "The police have a list of people who might be victims and are investigating the situation." 

Carole Moehrle, director of the North Central Health District, has seen an increase in the calls and screening of all kinds of sexually transmitted diseases. "The word is getting out and people have determined that they want to start the new year off healthy," she said. 

Thompson said he is unaware of whether the victims have tested positive for HIV. Moehrle encourages people to come forward and get tested. 

"If people have a lifestyle with more than one sexual partner, they have greater risk." 
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