Calhoun’s lawyer files for new trial

Clinton Calhoun may stand trial again for charges of attempted rape and battery after his new defense attorney announced on Thursday her intent to file a motion for a new trial.

A jury of his peers found Calhoun, 31, guilty of the charges in January, for which he was scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 27. However, the case was further postponed after an unexplained two-hour closed door court session between visiting Judge Edward M. Lacy Jr. and the attorneys involved in the case.

During the 9:30 a.m. proceedings, it came to light that Calhoun dismissed his previous defense attorney, Eric Hamilton, and is pursuing a motion for a new trial with attorney Donna Tartar.

"Mr. Calhoun is still thinking about this decision, so we are not committing to it just yet," Tartar said in court. "If he changes his mind, we will continue on trying to reach a possible resolution instead."

The defense is required to decide on and file the motion by May 1, with the prosecution asked to respond to it by May 23.

If the motion is filed, both parties will meet on June 4 for what Judge Lacy described as a "lengthy" court session where witnesses will be called to determine if the motion should be accepted.

The case is being prosecuted by the State Attorney General's Office, as Calhoun is the son of Kings County District Attorney Ron Calhoun. All county prosecutors and judges excused themselves from the case during its early stages.

Calhoun was originally arrested on the charges in March of last year.

The reporter can be reached at 583-2425.

(March 28, 2008)