Barret case will go to trial

A Long Beach Municipal Court judge said Monday that there was sufficient evidence against Associated Students Inc. Vice President Mike Barrett to warrant a pre-trial hearing.

The preliminary hearing was held Monday for Barrett, who was arrested Aug. 17 and charged with two counts of rape, said Long Beach Deputy District Attorney Lucianne Khalaf.

The hearing, originally scheduled for Sept. 13, was held at 9 a.m. at Division 8 of the Municipal Court in the Long Beach Courthouse, said Long Beach Police Detective Mike Holguin.

According to Holguin, who investigated the case, Barrett and the alleged victim were present at the hearing. The alleged victim testified, but Barrett did not, he said.

The preliminary hearing was held to determine whether or not there was enough evidence to go to trial, Holguin said.

After about an hour, Barrett was held to answer charges, which means that the presiding judge, the Honorable Deborah Andrews, agreed that there was sufficient evidence to go to trial, he said.

Barrett now faces a felony arraignment in Superior Court, which is scheduled for Nov. 13.

The judge will hold a conference with the district attorney's office and Barrett's attorney, Edward Hall, to set the location and dates for the trial, Holguin said.

If Barrett is convicted of both counts, he faces up to 16 years in prison, Khalaf said.

The minimum for two convictions is six years. Khalaf said that a conviction of one count holds a minimum of three years.

"It is our position that the minimum is six years," Khalaf said, adding that based on the testimony of the alleged victim, the district attorney's office filed charges of two counts of rape.

Barrett was arrested in August, 24 days after charges were filed against him July 24, police said.

The alleged victim said in August that a drunken Barrett called her and asked to meet and talk. After her arrival and a brief discussion, she said that Barrett forced himself on her.

In August, Barrett told reporters that he was innocent. "I did nothing wrong, I will be vindicated," he said.

Barrett was unavailable for comment on Tuesday.