By Associated Press
Stillwater, OK – Hearing ends for Okla. mayor facing computer charge
STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) A Payne County judge says he will rule next month whether Stillwater Nathan Bates will be ordered to stand trial on a charge of violating Oklahoma's Computer Crimes Act.
Special Judge Phillip Corley heard about three hours of testimony Tuesday during a preliminary hearing for Bates. Corley said he will issue a ruling on Dec. 20.
A multicounty grand jury indicted Bates in September on a felony charge accusing him of illegally using his city computer to try to win a $5,000 grant for a company he owns. His attorney, Debra Vincent, says Bates didn't exceed his authority when he used the computer's e-mail system.
Bates says he's done nothing wrong and that prosecutors haven't made a case against him.