Ex-Oklahoma Lawmaker Waives Hearing On Sex Battery Charge

A Republican former state senator has waived his preliminary hearing on a charge of grabbing a female Uber driver and kissing her on the neck while she drove him to a bar in Oklahoma City.

Court records show Bryce Marlatt of Woodward on Friday waived the hearing in which a judge was to decide if there is enough evidence to try him on a charge of sexual battery.

The Oklahoman reports that Marlatt waived the hearing just as the woman was about to testify about the June 26, 2017, incident. Marlatt resigned his Senate seat six days later.

He has pleaded not guilty and said he does not remember the Uber trip.

Marlatt is due back in court Dec. 19 for a hearing in which a trial date could be set.