They skip an Arizona conference at which his trial date is set for January.
By GREG AUMAN
Published September 4, 2003
Bucs running back Michael Pittman won't have to stand trial on felony assault charges in Arizona until January, but his alleged victims now face more pressing matters with court authorities.
Arrest warrants were issued Wednesday for Pittman's wife, Melissa, and the family's babysitter, Kristina Hegland, who had been subpoenaed to appear at Pittman's pretrial conference and were cited for failing to appear. Pittman is accused of using his Hummer to ram a Mercedes-Benz in May with his wife, their 2-year-old son and Hegland inside.
"It is not unusual for victims in domestic violence cases not to participate," Maricopa County Attorney's Office spokesman Bill FitzGerald told the Arizona Republic. "It appears unusual, to some degree, to issue a bench warrant."
Melissa Pittman's Tampa-based attorney, Ed Brennan, was in Arizona and said he would be filing a motion to quash the warrants against both women, arguing that the subpoenas were served improperly.
Wednesday's surprising developments show that Pittman may still face a battle in court even if his wife and Hegland do not intend to assist the prosecution.
"Melissa has made it evident to Maricopa County that she has no intention of proceeding in this matter," said Brennan, adding that the Pittmans and Hegland were in Tampa on Wednesday. "Their intention is to make an example of Michael. If the victims don't want to prosecute, what is the point?"
Brennan said a subpoena must be served in person or by registered mail with a signature confirmation. He said the subpoena was sent by regular mail in reference to a previously scheduled date in August, and no notification was made of any postponement.
That stands in opposition to prosecutor Suzanne Wilson, who told the Republic on Wednesday that she served the subpoenas to both women personally when they were in Arizona with Pittman for a pretrial conference in July.
Brennan said that in the event the warrants stand, he expects Melissa Pittman and Hegland can satisfy the court's request by posting a bond to assure they will be present to testify when the assault charges go to trial on Jan. 13.
Michael Pittman had his own appearance at Wednesday's conference waived, with his Phoenix-based attorney, Joel Thompson, representing him. Pittman has continued to practice and play since his arrest, and team officials have said they will let the legal system run its course before taking any action. If that stands, the charges would not interrupt his season until the middle of the NFL playoffs.
Pittman still faces a probation revocation hearing in November which could send him to jail for up to six months.
