DALLAS -- Singer-actor David Bowie could face criminal charges if a grand jury agrees with a sexual assault complaint filed last month by a woman who also claims the British performer may have exposed her to AIDS.
The Dallas County grand jury was to hear evidence today from police, Bowie's lawyer and Wanda Nichols, 30, who filed the criminal complaint against Bowie, 40, on Oct. 12. The panel will then decide if charges are warranted.
Bowie has not been charged or arrested.
Bowie was not expected to attend today's grand jury session or a separate civil hearing scheduled for Thursday afternoon, in which Nichols and her lawyer, Robert Rose, will ask a judge to order the singer to take a test for acquired immune deficiency syndrome.
County Assistant District Attorney Hugh Lucas, who will present evidence to the grand jury, said the hearing was scheduled for today even though a heavy schedule of other cases could delay its start.
'The victim will be down here along with a couple of police officers,' Lucas said. 'Bowie himself will not be here but I've talked with his lawyer, who's going to make a presentation.'
Bowie's lawyer, James Linn of Oklahoma City, could not be reached for comment on his presentation to the grand jury.
Melinda Thomas in the courtroom of state District Judge David Brooks said Thursday's hearing has been scheduled for 1:30 p.m.
'There's been an order issued for him to show cause why he shouldn't be ordered to take an AIDS test. He's not required to be here himself. He (or his lawyer) hasn't answered yet,' Thomas said.
Nichols has told police she was with Bowie at a party at his hotel following an Oct. 8 concert in Dallas. She said the singer suddenly assaulted her in his hotel room the morning of Oct. 9, inflicting bites on her back, then telling her he had just given her AIDS.
Bowie, who continued his world tour following his Dallas performance, has responded to the complaint through spokesmen, calling the allegations 'ridiculous' and denying that he assaulted the woman.
