COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.—Opening statements are expected as soon as Tuesday in the case of a former Florence City Council member and state mental hospital clinician accused of spiking a woman’s drink with a tranquilizer.
Fifty-seven-year-old Robert Psaty is charged with assault by drugging a victim and attempting to have someone induce a controlled substance by fraudulent means. Jury selection began Monday.
Authorities say Psaty was on a date at a Ruby Tuesday restaurant on Jan. 3, 2008, when a waiter saw him drop a pill into his date’s drink when she left the table. The waiter took the drink, replaced it with a new one and called police.
Investigators say the drink contained Valium.
Psaty was placed on paid administrative leave from his job at the state hospital in February 2008. He has pleaded not guilty and remains free on $3,000 bail.
———
Information from: The Gazette,
