Sled hearing postponed Tariq El-Shabazz, the court-appointed lawyer representing Eugene "Sultan" Harrison, reportedly faxed the Criminal Justice Center yesterday morning to explain that he missed his client's police lineup -- which had been scheduled for Wednesday evening -- due to an illness. At a January hearing, El-Shabazz requested and was granted a lineup for Harrison after Sled's fiance, Cecelia Hagerhall, misidentified El-Shabazz as the perpetrator. Common Pleas Court Judge Eric Lilian set a status hearing for next Tuesday, when a judge will reschedule the lineup and preliminary hearing. Assistant District Attorney Dick Carroll said the judge -- who might not be Lilian -- should "make it clear that if [El-Shabazz] fails to appear again, he'll be held in contempt [of court]." El-Shabazz did not return telephone calls to his office yesterday, and an employee at the office said El-Shabazz was not available for comment. University Police Detective William Danks said Lilian had the option of dismissing El-Shabazz and appointing another attorney for Harrison. "It's an outrage," Danks said. "I don't know what the defense attorney is trying to pull." Bridget Black and Yvette Stewart, the other two suspects arrested for Sled's murder -- which occurred near 43rd Street and Larchwood Avenue -- pleaded not guilty last week at a formal arraignment. -- Scott Lanman
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