THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, September 29, 1994 TAG: 9409290532
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B4 EDITION: FINAL
DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH LENGTH: Short : 29 lines
The trial of Portsmouth landlord P.L. Artise was delayed again Wednesday after a local doctor told the court that the 69-year-old defendant had recently undergone elective shoulder surgery.
Artise was scheduled to stand trial on the first of three cases of multiple counts of rape and incest. The nine rape charges and three charges of incest date to as early as 1956. The three incest charges involve three women who claim Artise is their biological father.
``We objected to the continuance,'' said Commonwealth's Attorney Martin Bullock. ``We think he's playing games with the court.''
Bullock had flown in Teena Martin-Smith, the alleged victim in the first case, from Los Angeles, and will now have to bring her back Oct. 27 for the new trial date.
Two other continuances have been granted in the case since Artise was indicted two years ago.
KEYWORDS: RAPE INCEST SEX CRIME CHILD
MOLESTER TRIAL by CNB