Courtney Love Ordered to Stand Trial

LOS ANGELES (AP) _ Singer Courtney Love was ordered Wednesday to stand trial on a felony charge of assault with a deadly weapon despite her attorney's claim the case had been ``grossly overcharged.''

Thursday, October 28th 2004, 9:39 am

By: News On 6

LOS ANGELES (AP) _ Singer Courtney Love was ordered Wednesday to stand trial on a felony charge of assault with a deadly weapon despite her attorney's claim the case had been ``grossly overcharged.''

Superior Court Commissioner Sanjay Kumar listened to testimony from the alleged victim, Kristin King, and a neighbor in the area of the April 25 incident.

``There is uncontroverted evidence that without provocation the defendant threw a bottle at the victim and chased her with a flashlight,'' he said.

Love was ordered to appear for arraignment Nov. 10. She remained free on $150,000 bail.

``We hope this will be resolved in a way to allow her to move on with her life,'' defense attorney Howard Weitzman said outside court.

The case is part of a long string of legal troubles for Love, former lead singer for the group Hole and widow of Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain.

Despite the legal setback, Weitzman said Love's well-publicized drug problems were behind her. ``She couldn't be in any better shape than she is now. Things are looking better and better for Courtney,'' he said.

King testified Love came to the home of former boyfriend Jim Barber and found King asleep on a sofa. She said Love grabbed a liquor bottle and threw it at her head, threw a lit candle and pinched her breasts.

Neighbor Marilyn Corre testified she was awakened by yelling and crying.

``Then I saw another woman come charging out,'' she testified. ``She had in her hand an extremely large torch (flashlight), silver in color. ... It was being used like a weapon.''

Weitzman urged that the charge be reduced to a misdemeanor. He said the case was a situation of ``she said, she said'' and that the account given by the victim might not be completely truthful.

Prosecutor Gina Satriano said it was clear Love intended to cause great bodily injury and even if she did not cause the injuries, the intent supported the charge.