By Judge refuses to delay Alabama gambling trial
Montgomery, AL – A federal judge has refused to delay the
April 4 trial date for the 11 people accused of buying and selling
votes on pro-gambling legislation in Montgomery.
Nine of the 11 defendants wanted a delay because they said they
needed more time to review taped phone calls and 200,000 pages of
documents turned over by the prosecution. U.S. District Judge Myron
Thompson declined to grant a declay during a hearing Tuesday in
Montgomery. But he said he will reconsider the request in late
February or early March to see what progress the defendants are
making.
Prosecutors opposed a delay, saying the defendants still have
nearly four months to prepare for trial.
A federal grand jury indicted the 11 in October. The defendants
include two casino developers, two former legislators, and two
current legislators.