Defense Dealt Setback in Tailhook Suit

LAS VEGAS — A handwriting analyst who was expected to testify that Paula Coughlin signed a party poster at the 1991 Tailhook convention was disqualified Wednesday, dealing a blow to defense efforts to show that Coughlin took part in raucous activities.

U.S. District Judge Philip Pro also refused to allow the defense to call a second analyst, leaving the jury with only the testimony of a handwriting expert called by Coughlin’s attorneys. The analyst testified that the handwriting on the poster did not match Coughlin’s.

The poster is key evidence for Hilton Hotel Corp. lawyers, who say Coughlin signed it while intoxicated the night she allegedly was sexually assaulted at the Las Vegas Hilton.

A Navy lieutenant testified earlier that he shaved Coughlin’s legs at the convention and then had her sign his leg-shaving poster.

Coughlin’s attorneys challenged the defense handwriting analyst, Diana Clayton of Redding, Calif., who testified that she received her training through correspondence courses and self-education.