Rodman’s arraignment postponed again

NEWPORT BEACH -- Dennis Rodman’s arraignment on two criminal

misdemeanor charges stemming from his birthday party was put off again

Wednesday because of discovery issues, officials said.

The Orange County district attorney filed the charges against the

former NBA star for allegedly using sound amplifiers without city permits

at his Newport Beach home.

Rodman “disturbed the peace” in his Seashore Drive neighborhood on May

12, when he hosted a party on the beach to celebrate his 40th birthday,

prosectors said.

On Wednesday, the prosecution and defense argued about how much

discovery the defense is entitled to receive. Deputy Dist. Atty. Mike

Fell said the judge approved a few defense motions and denied a few.

“The defense wanted any and all citations handed out by the police

over the last year for these type of offenses,” he said. “The judge

approved that motion, and we’ll turn over that information to them.”

But the judge denied defense access to police logs, reports and other

information because he found it was irrelevant to the case, Fell said.

Fell agreed the arraignment has dragged on for a long time and said

the prosecution will ask that Rodman enter a plea “at some point.”

“But the process has been productive so far,” he said. “So we haven’t

had a problem with it yet.”

Police said about 300 people came to the much-talked-about birthday

party in May that featured famous live bands, such as LIVE, playing on

the beach.Rodman also jumped off a helicopter onto the beach during the

party. Police in riot gear disrupted the festivities, and the party moved

to Josh Slocums Restaurant on Coast Highway.

If convicted, Rodman could face 18 months in jail and a $3,000 fine.

He could also get an additional year and a $2,000 fine for violating

probation from a prior charge of driving under the influence.

The next hearing on the case is scheduled for Sept. 17 at the Harbor Justice Center.