Cathy Smith Hearing Postponed

A preliminary hearing for Cathy Evelyn Smith, accused of murder in the 1982 drug overdose death of comedian John Belushi, has been postponed to Sept. 9 before a new judge.

Los Angeles Municipal Court Judge Brian D. Crahan, announcing that he would be unavailable to hear the case immediately because he is about to begin serving a two-month stint on the Court of Appeal, declared a mishearing today in order to reassign the case to Judge James F. Nelson. Smith’s attorney, Howard L. Weitzman, said the transfer means “we’re back to square one,” adding that Smith is anxious to have the hearing concluded so she can “get back with her life.”