Former deputy's assault trial postponed because of Brenton case

The assault trial of former King County sheriff's Deputy Paul Schene was delayed this morning over allegations that the man suspected of killing Seattle police Officer Timothy Brenton may have been motivated by anger over the Schene case.

Schene, 32, is accused of beating Malika Calhoun, then 15, in a SeaTac City Hall holding cell after she was arrested for investigation of car theft on Nov. 29, 2008. The case gained widespread attention because the incident was caught on video, which was released to the media.

Jury selection for Schene's trial was slated to begin this morning with opening statements likely to come as early as Tuesday.

Ian Goodhew, deputy chief of staff for King County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg, said this morning the case was being pushed back because of "concerns [over] whether this case will be impacted by the Brenton homicide."

Brenton was fatally shot and rookie trainee Britt Sweeney was wounded on Halloween night in Seattle's Leschi neighborhood. Suspect Christopher Monfort had allegedly written notes about Schene and was angry over alleged incidents of police brutality, law enforcement sources say.

Schene, who is charged with fourth-degree assault, was fired by the Sheriff's Office in September.

In a video of the attack, Calhoun is seen kicking off her sneaker, which hit Schene's shin, as he was closing the holding-cell door. Schene then charges into the cell, throwing Calhoun against the back wall next to a toilet. He knocks her to the floor and, with the help of another deputy, holds her down while he punches her. He then picks her up by the hair and marches her out of the cell.

The county recently reached a settlement on a lawsuit filed by Calhoun, paying $125,000 to a trust created in her name.

Jennifer Sullivan: 206-464-8294 or jensullivan@seattletimes.com