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CNN Live Event/Special

Paula Poundstone's Attorney Takes a Few Questions

Aired September 05, 2001 - 11:20   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
COLLEEN MCEDWARDS, CNN ANCHOR: We want to take live now to pictures of Paula Poundstone heading up to Santa Monica, California. We've got some pictures there of the comedienne, on her way it looks like, or least this is around the time she's having. On her way, I'm hearing, to a discovery hearing that's going on in her ongoing court case. You may recall that she's been charged with child endangerment and lewd conduct. Her attorney, of course has been saying that she is innocent of the charges. She does remain in rehabilitation for treatment of alcohol-related problems. Obviously she is out for her court appearance. A preliminary hearing has been set for later this month, sometime around 11th of September. So this court appearance, this was sort of a preliminary step before that.

She's 41 years old. Arrested June 27th, pleaded not guilty to those three felony charges, lewd conduct with an unidentified girl under the age of 14, another charge as well involving child endangerment involving four other children, two girls and two boys. Looks like they're going to maybe will talk to reporters here. Obviously getting some questions. I don't know if we can hear.

Let's have a listen.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And we're going to talk with the judge, and he wants to know where we are out on the case, and we will talk with him about it. That's about all there is today.

QUESTION: Is there any talk of a deal yet?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If there is, I wouldn't discuss it at this point.

QUESTION: Paula, is the recovery going well?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes. It's going great.

Take my word for it, she's doing terrifically.

Paula doing well. And nobody gets injured this morning, we will all be doing great.

I hope so. I don't know about that.

MCEDWARDS: All right, comedian Paula Poundstone's attorney speaking on her behalf there. A little scum of reporters on their way to court session in Santa Monica, California.

Poundstone been in rehabilitation for treatment of alcohol- related problems. She's been a foster parent for a few years now, since the early '90s, adopted three children, was caring for two other children before they were actually taken into protective custody when this whole story broke and charges leveled against her. Preliminary hearing set for later this month.

LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: As I understand it, while she's been at rehab, she still has access to the children from time to time.

MCEDWARDS: She's been seeing them quite regularly apparently, yes, you're right.

HARRIS: You notice how very protective her attorney has been of her. Early on in the whole process, she was speaking and cracking jokes in the courtroom. Now he won't let her answer what her name is, questions like that.

MCEDWARDS: Yes, a little more sensitive stage in the process here.

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