Aliya Schneider is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media Melvin Lett Jr., of Catskill, is slated to go to trial on nine charges of harassment filed against him in connection with letters sent to Hudson Mayor Kamal Johnson. Lett., 44, appeared before Hudson City Court Judge John Connor, Jr. on April 13. Connor said each charge is related to specific, individual letters allegedly sent on a monthly basis to Johnson. Lett has elected to have the trial heard by a judge, not a jury. The mayor has alleged that Lett wrote more than 40 letters to him during the past year, and a six-month order of protection was issued last month for Johnson and his family. Connor confirmed that a terroristic threat charge and an aggravated harassment charge have been dismissed. Connor also said the court is now permitted to host an in-person, non-jury trial. Lett's attorney, Dennis McEvoy of Hudson, said it is clear his client wants to go to trial. Connor said he would adjourn the case for two weeks to give the parties a chance to file motions. Columbia County Assistant District Attorney Krista Kline said all nine charges will be tried at once. After Left attempted several times during the appearance to speak, Connor finally permitted him to address the court. At that point, Lett said he is looking for a new lawyer and wants McEvoy to release discovery materials to his new attorney. His choices for representation are from outside of Columbia County, “for obvious reasons,” he said. Lett's next court appearance is scheduled for April 27. Full disclosure: Johnson is a WGXC volunteer programmer. Read the full story at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.