Ex-senator could face May road rage trial

<p>Former state senator and congressional candidate Doug Haines could stand trial next month on charges that he threatened a teenage girl in a fit of road rage.</p><p>Haines was arrested on a simple assault charge in October. A Gwinnett County solicitor officially charged him in February, adding another charge, disorderly conduct.</p><p>Catherine Barton, then a 16-year-old Athens Academy student, told police that on Aug. 17, 2004, a middle-aged man driving a black BMW pulled in front of her car at an Athens intersection.</p><p>The man got out of his car, threatened to kill her and cut her head off, used profanity and beat on her car door, she said.</p><p>During an October hearing, Haines told a judge he saw Barton speeding and running stop signs, and became concerned that his young daughter might run into the street.</p><p>"I lost my temper and I am sorry, but I didn't do what is alleged," he said in October.</p><p>Haines is scheduled to make an initial appearance May 6 in Clarke County State Court, where he can plead guilty or not guilty and have a chance to ask for a jury trial.</p><p>A trial is scheduled for May 23. The misdemeanor charges carry a maximum punishment of one year in prison and a $1,000 fine.</p><p>A Gwinnett prosecutor is handling the case after Athens-Clarke Solicitor General Ralph Powell recused himself due to personal and political connections with Haines.</p><p>Haines, a lawyer and Democrat, served one term in the Georgia Senate, but lost in 2002 to Republican Brian Kemp. He later ran in the Democratic primary for the 12th Congressional district, but lost to John Barrow.</p><p>___</p><p>HASH(0x1d098e4)</p>

http://accesswdun.com/article/2005/4/147140