By AP/St. Louis Public Radio
NEW MADRID, Mo. – The trial of former Missouri House Speaker Rod Jetton on a charge of second-degree assault has been rescheduled for February.
The 43-year-old Republican had been set to go on trial Thursday but requested a delay, citing what his lawyer called new evidence.
Online court records Monday show the trial now is set to start Feb. 3 in New Madrid County on a chage of venue from Scott County.
Jetton is accused of punching and choking a woman last November at her Sikeston home in southeast Missouri. He has pleaded not guilty to the assault charge, which carries maximum penalties of seven years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
Jetton left the Missouri House in January 2009 because of term limits.