ABERDEEN, S.D. (AP) — The attorney for a Columbia-area man accusing of kidnapping and raping a girl has withdrawn a motion seeking to keep recorded conversations between his client and priests private.

Authorities allege that 55-year-old Thomas Kline abused the girl in her home, in his home and in a church over a period of eight years. She was 8 or 9 when the alleged abuse began.

Kline has pleaded not guilty to 16 felony counts and is scheduled for trial in early February.

Defense attorney Timothy Rensch argued in August that conversations between Kline and priests in May should be private.

The American News reports that prosecutor Chris White objected, saying the conversations happened in a jail booking room with multiple signs warning that all activities there were recorded.

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