The University hired permanent replacements to instruct Kevin Mulcahy’s political science classes after his arrest in September. But James Stoner, political science department chair, said Mulcahy will return to his regular duties in the department beginning Jan. 2009.”Professor Mulcahy is a respected, successful teacher, as well as a world-renowned scholar in his field,” Stoner said. “So, I am happy to have him back.”Mulcahy, who has been at the University for 28 years, was arrested Sept. 4 for unauthorized entering of an inhabited dwelling and was placed on paid administrative leave, effective the day of his arrest.The case is still pending and is being reviewed by the prosecutor, according to the East Baton Rouge District Attorney’s office.During the aftermath of Hurricane Gustav, Mulcahy was drinking with Eldon Birthwright, assistant English professor and a neighbor, outside Birthwright’s apartment. Mulcahy was hit with the sudden urge to use the bathroom and abruptly walked inside Birthwright’s apartment, according to an affidavit.Birthwright told police Mulcahy broke into his apartment and began taking off his clothes, while grabbing onto Birthwright’s housemate. Birthwright said this was a forced entry and at no point was Mulcahy invited into the apartment.”He just had to get there or he would go to the bathroom all over himself,” said Drew Louviere, Mulcahy’s lawyer. “I would say that throughout our culture in south Louisiana, most people would think it would be OK to walk in their host’s door and use their bathroom.”Mulcahy is not aware that he came in contact with the housemate, but Birthwright held a butcher knife against Mulcahy’s throat, forcing him to leave the apartment, Louviere said.”He went home and went to bed,” Louviere said. “He was just going to let it go like most people would.”But Mulcahy was surprised when the Baton Rouge Police Department showed up at his home to arrest him and book him into a parish prison, Louviere said.”It’s absolutely absurd that he was charged with this crime,” he said. “He is 60 plus years old and not in any physical condition to pose as a threat to someone.”Mulcahy may still face prosecution charges stemming from a misdemeanor incident two years ago. Mulcahy was arrested and charged of being a peeping Tom on Sept. 15, 2006.A University student said Mulcahy followed him to his apartment as he walked home, leading to an investigative probe by the University and his placement on paid administrative leave.The alleged incidents that resulted in administrative leave did not involve behavior related to the classroom, Stoner said.The prosecutors didn’t move forward with the case, and Mulcahy was not convicted then, Louviere said.But more than two years later, the case is still open, and City Prosecutor Art Boudreaux said he is in no hurry to close the case. Mulcahy was required to go to treatment and remain alcohol-free before a decision was made to move forward with the case.—-Contact Leslie Presnall at [email protected]