Councilmember Hague's DUI pretrial hearing delayed

A judge this afternoon delayed a pretrial hearing for King County Councilmember Jane Hague until Nov. 28, putting off arguments over whether Hague's blood-alcohol readings should be readmitted as evidence.

The decision probably also pushes back a possible trial on the DUI charge until early next year.

The pretrial hearing was scheduled for Monday afternoon in front of King County District Court Judge Peter Nault in the Redmond courthouse. But Nault was absent, with Judge Pro Tem Richard Jones filling in.

Lynn Moberly, a King County special deputy prosecutor, asked for a delay so that Nault could have time to decide whether to allow the blood-alcohol readings, according to defense attorneys. The defense also asked for a delay to give itself more time to interview police officers involved in the DUI arrest.

Hague, R-Bellevue, is running for re-election. Her campaign has been troubled by the DUI arrest, a claim in a 1993 candidate's biography claiming a college degree she didn't have, and by campaign-finance violations.

Hague was in court today, along with her husband, Ed Springman, and other friends and family members. She declined to speak to reporters outside the courthouse.

Ashley Bach: 206-464-2567 or abach@seattletimes.com