LAS VEGAS-Despite a weekend arrest on charges of battery with a deadly weapon, Assemblywoman Francis Allen was back to work today, attending a meeting of the legislature's Information Technology Subcommittee in Las Vegas.

"She looked okay," said state Sen. Bob Coffin (D-Las Vegas).  "She didn't look like she had been through anything."

"She got there early and jumped right into it all.  She did ask questions and participated."

Allen was arrested early Saturday morning after her husband, Paul Maineri, told Las Vegas Metropolitan Police investigators that she had stabbed him in the arm with a steak knife.  Allen disputed that, saying that Maineri had "done it himself," according to the police report.

Allen's lawyer, Richard A. Wright, repeated Allen's denial Tuesday and added that "At the appropriate time, the true facts will become known and she will be exonerated."

Despite the seriousness of the charges against Allen, fellow legislators withheld judgment on her Wednesday.

"I haven't talked to Francis so I'm not sure exactly what's going to happen with her campaign," said Republican Assembly Minority Leader Heidi Gansert.  "I'm not sure yet where we are.  I guess I don't have any judgment because I haven't had a chance to talk with her."

"Assemblywoman Allen is a colleague and a friend and it's unfortunate," said Democratic Majority Leader John Oceguera.  "I hope it is resolved for her sake, but it doesn't look real good for her right now politically."

Assuming she continues her campaign for reelection, Allen will face three Republican challengers in the Aug. 12 primary this year.  Like Allen's colleagues, they are also none too eager to make hay of her current troubles, or at least not yet.

Andrew Brownson, one of the Republicans challenging Allen, said it would not be appropriate to ask or force her to resign for her "personal habits."

"I don't believe in that," said Brownson.  "As far as her legislative record, we might want her to resign over that."