<p>Former state Sen. Doug Haines has turned himself in to face a simple assault charge.</p><p>Haines went to the Clarke County Jail on Tuesday after a judge found probable cause he threatened a 16-year-old girl for speeding through his neighborhood. He later posted $1,500 bond.</p><p>Catherine Barton, a junior at Athens Academy, told police in August that a man attacked her at an intersection, beating on the door of her car, shouting profanity and threatening to kill her if she came back to the neighborhood.</p><p>A few days later, her mother showed Barton a recent picture of Haines, which had been printed from the Web site of Haines' failed run for Congress and the girl recognized him.</p><p>At the Tuesday morning hearing, Haines gave his side of the story.</p><p>He said he was backing out of his driveway when Barton sped by in a sport utility vehicle. He followed the SUV as it ran two stop signs, Haines said, and pulled up beside the teen at an intersection.</p><p>"I've got a little baby who is of the age she runs into the street," Haines said. "I wanted to tell (Barton) to slow down. At that point, I was upset."</p><p>But Judge Patricia Barron interrupted Haines' testimony.</p><p>"Tell me what gave you the right to stop her and give her these instructions," Barron said.</p><p>Haines said he lost his temper but did not do what he is accused of doing.</p><p>Solicitor General Ralph Powell would prosecute the case in Clarke County State Court, but said he will recuse himself since Haines' ex-wife works in the office and Powell has supported Haines' political campaigns in the past.</p><p>A court date has not been set.</p><p>Haines, an Athens attorney, represented Clarke County and parts of Oconee, Barrow and Jackson counties in the state Senate from 2000-2002. In July, he was defeated by John Barrow in the Democratic Primary to represent Georgia's 12th District in the U.S. Congress.</p><p>___</p><p>HASH(0x28659a8)</p>
