Still no court appearance for pol accused of shoplifting

Another hearing scheduled, another excused absence for Assemblywoman and accused Neiman Marcus shoplifter Mary Hayashi. Judge Gerardo Sandoval Wednesday set Jan. 6 as the next court date, when a date for a preliminary hearing for the Castro Valley Democrat may be set. But over the prosecution’s objections, he decreed that she won’t have to be there. It’s her third excused absence. She’s pleaded not guilty.