Court case resumes against state lawmaker [R]charged with domestic assault

[rodeodance]

http://www.startribune.com/467/story/1292650.html

Court case resumes against state lawmaker charged with domestic assault
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By Jim Adams, Star Tribune

Last update: July 10, 2007 – 9:08 AM

Rep. Mark Olson, who will go to trial this week on two misdemeanor counts of domestic assault in Sherburne County District Court. He intends to use a 'battered husband' defense, his attorney says.

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Serving his eighth term, Olson was suspended from the Republican caucus after his arrest. There have been no attempts made to remove him from the Legislature, but House Republican leadership has suggested he resign if convicted.

Pendleton also ruled Monday that prosecutor Gretchen Ziehl can introduce evidence of three other domestic assaults by Mark Olson against his wife that occurred within a year of the Nov. 12 incident that led to the charges. Ziehl noted that the couple has a divorce pending.

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Clark said police misinterpreted as a confession Olson's expression that -- because of his religious beliefs -- he was responsible for his family's behavior as head of the household.