Trial set for councilman accused of assault

TRACY JOHNSON
P-I REPORTER

Seattle City Councilman Richard McIver is now expected to face trial in December for an allegation that he assaulted his wife in their South Seattle home.

In a King County District Court hearing on Tuesday, Judge Linda Thompson set a hearing for Nov. 27 and the trial for the week of Dec. 10.

She will also consider whether police documents about the councilman's arrest should be released to the Seattle P-I, as the newspaper has requested, or whether a Superior Court judge should make that decision.

McIver, who did not attend Tuesday's hearing, has pleaded not guilty to fourth-degree assault. He is accused of grabbing his wife by the throat and arm in a drunken dispute Oct. 10. He spent two nights in jail but now remains free without bail.