Jury Chosen in Attorney’s Trial
VAN NUYS — A jury was selected Wednesday in the trial of an attorney charged with using offensive language in a public place that could provoke a fight.
The defendant, Daniel Hustwit, a Century City lawyer, allegedly called Deputy Dist. Atty. Michael Pargament and bailiff Michael Ascolese “asses” and then challenged Ascolese to a fight. Hustwit acknowledged making the insult, but denied he had sought a fight.
The case stems from a contentious hearing in March in which a judge agreed to the three-year sentence Hustwit proposed for his client, rather than the life term sought by Pargament. As Hustwit was leaving the courtroom, he said, he caught Pargament and Ascolese glaring at him, so told each of them that they were “asses.”
If convicted, Hustwit could be sentenced to 90 days in jail and fined $400. Opening statements in the case are expected to begin today after two alternate jurors are chosen.
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