Motions for the trial of former Fresno City College Professor Brian Calhoun were heard in open court for the first time today. Calhoun’s attorney Roger Nuttall submitted as many as 17 motions while the prosecution presented eight.

“All [Calhoun] wanted to do was his job,” Nuttall told Judge Denise Whitehead. Nuttall tried to admit FCC codes of conduct into evidence claiming that the alleged victim violated school policy by “verbally assaulting” Calhoun, but Whitehead denied it saying that it was irrelevant.

“Even assuming the complaining witness violated the code of conduct by the use of profane or offensive language to Mr. Calhoun, there is nothing in the documents that would support defendant’s the claim that [Calhoun] had the right to use physical force on the complaining witness in response to her violation.”

Calhoun is claiming that the physical force was a simple touch, while the alleged victim says it was much more aggressive.

The many other motions were touched on briefly after the discussion on the FCC codes of conduct, including the barring of witnesses from the courtroom except of their testimony. Nuttall agreed to allow potential witnesses from the media to remain in the courtroom so they could continue to report on the case.

Jury selection is set for 9 a.m. tomorrow, and the trial is expected to resume on Monday Oct. 7 2013.