Court Date Set for Poundstone Case

By Stephen M. Silverman

Tuesday August 28, 2001 02:56 PM EDT

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Yahoo Buzz
• E-mail

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Bernard Kamins has set Sept. 11 as the date for a preliminary hearing into charges of child molestation against comedian Paula Poundstone, 41. The jurist ordered her to appear before him for a pre-trial hearing on Sept. 5. After the court session Monday, the comedian's attorney told reporters that he expected his client to be cleared of the charges. Prosecutors have said that the "lewd acts" charges against Poundstone all related to a single child, a girl, and that the alleged incidents took place on May 19, June 5 and June 6. "Everything I've seen from the facts of the case convince me that Paula is not a child molester," Cron said as Poundstone stood silently beside him, dressed in a jacket and tie. "I know the charges, and I know the allegations, and Paula is not guilty." Poundstone was arrested on June 27 and charged with three counts of lewd acts on a child under 14 and three counts of child endangerment. Poundstone has three adopted children and has cared for a number of foster children. Cron said that she was still undergoing treatment at a live-in alcohol rehabilitation facility. "She's still in rehab, and she's still seeing her children regularly. She's doing great." He affirmed that her drinking "had a bearing" on the case. If convicted, Poundstone could face a maximum of 13 years in prison.