defone
2003-02-26, 02:40 PM
Judge considers witnesses in Puckett trial
MINNEAPOLIS -- Lawyers for former Minnesota Twins star Kirby Puckett asked a judge Wednesday to allow the testimony of two men who claim the woman who accused Puckett of assault was drunk that night.
The lawyers claim the woman's conduct will cast doubt on her credibility.
The woman said Puckett dragged her into a restaurant bathroom on Sept. 6 and groped her. A criminal complaint said she had bruises on an ankle, arm and breast.
The two witnesses told the court they met the alleged victim about two hours before the alleged assault. One of the men, Jon Bartelt, said the woman grabbed his buttocks. Bartelt and the other witness, Rohit Shirole, both said the woman bared her breasts to a group of people.
Also testifying Wednesday, the woman said she wasn't drunk. She said she had a sip of wine before going to the restaurant and two rum-and-cokes while she was there. The woman denied baring her breasts and said she did not meet Bartelt.
Prosecutors filed a motion Wednesday asking District Judge Stephen Swanson to discount the men's testimony, which they called a smear tactic.
Puckett, charged with false imprisonment and criminal sexual conduct, sat silently in court. His trial is scheduled for March 24.
MINNEAPOLIS -- Lawyers for former Minnesota Twins star Kirby Puckett asked a judge Wednesday to allow the testimony of two men who claim the woman who accused Puckett of assault was drunk that night.
The lawyers claim the woman's conduct will cast doubt on her credibility.
The woman said Puckett dragged her into a restaurant bathroom on Sept. 6 and groped her. A criminal complaint said she had bruises on an ankle, arm and breast.
The two witnesses told the court they met the alleged victim about two hours before the alleged assault. One of the men, Jon Bartelt, said the woman grabbed his buttocks. Bartelt and the other witness, Rohit Shirole, both said the woman bared her breasts to a group of people.
Also testifying Wednesday, the woman said she wasn't drunk. She said she had a sip of wine before going to the restaurant and two rum-and-cokes while she was there. The woman denied baring her breasts and said she did not meet Bartelt.
Prosecutors filed a motion Wednesday asking District Judge Stephen Swanson to discount the men's testimony, which they called a smear tactic.
Puckett, charged with false imprisonment and criminal sexual conduct, sat silently in court. His trial is scheduled for March 24.