Charge against former Kings assistant coach Mark Hardy reduced, trial date set
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The fourth-degree felony sexual-abuse charge against former Kings assistant coach Mark Hardy was reduced to a misdemeanor, and a date of Oct. 12 was set for a non-jury trial, his attorney, Craig Renetzky, said Thursday.
Hardy was charged after a complaint filed by a family member on May 21. He entered a rehabilitation facility shortly afterward.
He was arraigned Thursday in District of Columbia Superior Court, which had received and granted a motion to reduce the charge to a misdemeanor. The maximum punishment is no more than 180 days in jail.
Renetzky says Hardy, who resigned from the Kings’ coaching staff June 12, is free on his own recognizance and is now allowed to talk to the victim. It is The Times’ policy not to name alleged abuse victims.
Renetzky also said the government had made a plea-bargain offer, but he rejected it.
“At this point, Mr. Hardy is looking forward to the trial,” Renetzky said, “and hopefully he will be cleared.”
-- Helene Elliott
Photo: Mark Hardy with the Kings in October 2008. Credit: Karen Tapia-Andersen/ Los Angeles Times