DEARBORN
HEIGHTS – The preliminary hearing for Natalie Hassan, the 23-year-old Dearborn Heights woman who allegedly ran over another local woman with her 2001 Chevy Malibu after a dispute, has been rescheduled by Dearborn Heights Judge David Turfe in a mutual agreement involving all parties.

The
incident which occurred on April 18 at Garling Dr. near Warren and
Evergreen Rd. has left one woman, Hanan Achkar, 23, in a coma
fighting for her life. Hassan was arrested later that evening by
Dearborn Heights police after fleeing the scene and surrendering at
her mother’s house. She has been charged with numerous counts,
including assault
with attempt to murder and assault with a dangerous weapon.

The
decision to delay the hearing was made after Hassan’s attorney,
Cyril Hall, consulted with the detective on the case who is still
waiting on information regarding the incident that is deemed
important in order to move forward.

Hall
also filed a motion for the court to re-consider the release
conditions of Hassan, who was put on a $250,000 bond after she was
arrested two weeks ago. On behalf of Hassan he pleaded for a 10
percent cash provision, claiming that the bond was unusual
considering Hassan was not on probation or parole during the time of
the incident. Hall guaranteed that if Hassan was released she would
re-appear on the day of her hearing and would not be a present danger
to the community.

The
prosecutor on the case objected to that motion, however.

“This
is a very serious case. The victim is still in the hospital and is in
a very grave situation in terms of whether she is going to survive or
not. The victim, the defendant and other witnesses at the scene all
know each other, and for some reason there is ongoing dispute between
the parties… and that would be a rise of concern for the safety of
all those involved,” said Prosecutor Kal Najar.

Judge
Turfe agreed with the prosecutor and stated that he felt the bond was
reasonable, keeping it in place, until at least the date of the
rescheduled preliminary hearing.

“These
are serious offenses…we can always revisit the issue of the bond at
the time of the exam. By then I’ll have a better idea of the
circumstances surrounding this case,” Judge Turfe told the
courtroom.

Achkar
still remains in the intensive care unit at Oakwood Hospital. Both
family and friends say that her condition has not gotten any better
since the altercation. Some of Achkar’s family and friends were
present at the hearing. Also in attendance were Hassan’s mother,
sister and brother in law, who told us that there is more to the
story than what has been reported by the local news.

After
the hearing we spoke briefly to Attorney Hall, who gave Hassan’s side
of the story.

“It’s
clear the complainant and her friend made the decision to confront
(Hassan). They got her out of her car and started to beat her…she
was making an effort to get away,” Hall told us after the hearing
was adjourned. “She is remorseful and disturbed that someone had to
sustain an injury.”

Also
present at the courthouse was Nancy Faraj, a witness and victim in
the incident. She told WXYZ Channel 7 last week that she sustained
both leg and back injuries after Hassan attempted to run her over.
Faraj spoke with the prosecutor and attorney privately and then left
the courthouse before the hearing started. She along with other
witnesses are expected to testify when the case moves forward.

Hassan’s
preliminary examination has been scheduled for May 30 at 9:00 a.m. at
the 20^th
District Court.