DEFENDANT FAILS TO SHOW FOR HEARING

JACKSON, Mo. -- An attorney charged with assault, drug possession and other crimes did not show up for a special hearing on Friday, and a judge has issued warrants for his arrest.

Cape Girardeau attorney William Z. Shohet, 32, was absent from a hearing to consider revoking his probation on criminal charges, court officials reported. Associate Judge Byron Luber of Pemiscot County, who was presiding at the hearing, issued warrants for Shohet's arrest.

Shohet is currently on probation for possession of marijuana and driving while intoxicated. He had previously pleaded guilty to two assaults, and has been convicted of stealing and property damage in his home state of Wisconsin.

In August, he was charged with three counts of misdemeanor assault and two counts for victim tampering.

A complaint had also been filed by the Missouri Attorney General's office charging that Shohet committe perjury when he said during a Missouri Bar disciplinary hearing that he never had sexual relations with one of his clients.

Details about Shohet's false testimony were learned during the assault investigations, which involved the same woman with whom the attorney denied having sex.