By Denise Nix

Staff Writer

Former Gardena City Councilman Oscar Medrano appeared in court this morning, but his scheduled preliminary hearing was postponed a month.

Medrano, 47, has hired a new attorney to defend him against 12 charges of committing a lewd and lascivious act on a minor.

The attorney, John Tyre, told Torrance Superior Court Judge William Hollingsworth he needed more time to prepare.

Hollingsworth ordered Medrano to return to court May 8 to have a preliminary hearing scheduled.

denise.nix@dailybreeze.com