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Jan 19, 2007 11:14 pm US/Central
Rep. Olson Has Assault Hearing Postponed
Elk River, Minn. (AP) ―
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State Rep. Mark Olson
Courtesy Sherburne County Sheriff's Dept.
State Rep. Mark Olson hired a new attorney to represent him on charges that he assaulted his wife, a move that postponed a court hearing scheduled for Friday.
Olson, a GOP representative from Big Lake, was scheduled to appear in Sherburne County court on two misdemeanor charges of domestic assault stemming from a November incident at the couples' home. A new court date has been set for Feb. 9.
According to a criminal complaint, Olson's wife told sheriff's deputies that her husband pushed her to the ground three times during an argument on Nov. 12. Deputies spotted a fresh bruise.
Olson has said he grabbed his wife by the shoulders before "placing her on the ground," according to the criminal complaint.
After his arrest, the House Republican caucus voted to suspend Olson, who was elected in November to an eighth term.
If Olson is convicted, House GOP leaders say they would demand his resignation. If he doesn't comply, they could seek to expel him.
(© 2007 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
