VIDALIA, La. &045; Clayton Police Chief Clarence &uot;PaPa&uot; Skipper will have his day in court &045; Nov. 14, 2005, to be precise.

Skipper, who is facing felony charges of malfeasance in office and public bribery, was in court Wednesday for a status hearing on his case. Concordia Parish’s Seventh Judicial District Judge Leo Boothe set the date for his trial after conferring in his chambers with Assistant District Attorney Andy Magoun and Skipper’s lawyer Louis G. Scott of Monroe.

Skipper could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

Skipper, who is accused of accepting bribes to not write traffic tickets and accident reports, began a new term of office July 1, 2004. He will not be forced to leave his position unless he is convicted and all appeals have been exhausted.

The defense has filed motions seeking to suppress certain evidence and statements made by Skipper at the time of his arrest. Boothe should rule on the motions before the trial begins.

Skipper’s last court appearance was Oct. 13, when several motions were filed. He was indicted by a grand jury in June 2004 after being arrested in March 2004.