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Judge grants delay for Poundstone
SANTA MONICA, California (CNN) -- A judge Monday delayed setting a date for a preliminary hearing on the child endangerment and lewd conduct charges against comedian Paula Poundstone. The delay came at the request of Poundstone's attorney, and the comedian waived her right to a speedy trial at a brief court hearing. She spoke only when she acknowledged waiving that right. The next court hearing is scheduled for August 27. In an effort to protect the identities of the children, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Bernard Kamins sealed all documents in the case, including discovery matters. After the proceeding, Steven Cron, Poundstone's attorney, said the comedian's drinking problem will be a factor in her defense. "Anytime someone abuses alcohol, it clouds their judgment, and I'm not going to discuss the facts of the case, but I think that's a given," he said.
Poundstone, 41, was arrested June 27. She has pleaded not guilty to three felony charges of lewd conduct with an unidentified girl under the age of 14 and another charge of child endangerment involving four other children, two girls and two boys. After her arrest, Poundstone checked into a live-in alcohol rehabilitation facility, her attorney said. She came to Monday's court proceeding from the facility in Malibu. Poundstone, a foster parent since 1993, has adopted three children and was caring for two others before they were taken into protective custody. Since her arrest, Poundstone has had supervised visits with her children, Cron said. -- CNN Correspondent Sherri Sylvester contributed to this report |
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