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Mateen Cleaves' Attorney Wants Wayne County Prosecutor Replaced In Sex Assault Case

FLINT (WWJ) - There's been a delay in a hearing to determine if former Michigan State University basketball star Mateen Cleaves will stand trial on rape charges.

Cleaves' attorney filed motions on Tuesday asking a Flint judge to dismiss the charges or replace the Wayne County prosecutor's office, stating its the defense's belief that Kym Worthy has mishandled the case,

"The Special Prosecutor appointed to handle this case has put her personal and political interest ahead of public confidence and Mr. Cleaves' right to a fair trial," the motion states. "The integrity (of) our court system has been dispensed with in favor or a national television series."

"The complaining witness, a Wayne County Child Sexual Abuse Task Force member (a fact which was never been disclosed to the defense) had not even taken the witnesses stand, and already the prosecutor has condemned Mr. Cleaves character in an all-out media blitz. She has attacked not only the integrity of Mr. Cleaves and his counsel but the integrity of this tribunal," the motion continues. "Rumors have been spread by the Prosecutor's Office in front of the camera of additional victims, and yet not a shred of evidence has been produced in more than a month to substantiate the claims."

Another motion by the defense asks that the alleged victim undergo a psychological evaluation. According to court documents, legal precedent allows a psych  exam to be ordered for complaining witnesses in certain cases, providing "there is a compelling reason to do so."

Arguments on both motions will come at hearing now set for Friday, July 29.

Cleaves, 39, is accused of sexually assaulting a 24-year-old woman at a Flint-area motel after a golf outing last fall.

He is charged with Unlawful Imprisonment (15-year maximum penalty), Assault with Intent to Commit Criminal Sexual Penetration (10 year maximum penalty), Criminal Sexual Conduct Second Degree (15-year maximum penalty) and two counts of Criminal Sexual Conduct Third Degree (15-years maximum penalty).

[Worthy Miffed About Mateen Cleaves' 'Back Door Arraignment' In Sex Assault Case]

After winning the NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player award when the Spartans won a National Title in 2000, Cleaves was drafted by the Detroit Pistons with the 14th overall pick and spent parts of six seasons in the NBA.

Cleaves, who is out on bond, has denied any wrongdoing, saying he and the woman had consensual sex.

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