New Lawyer Seeks Delay In Dutschke Trial

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) – A lawyer wants a federal judge to delay the Oct. 7 trial of a Mississippi man charged with sending poison-laced letters to President Barack Obama and others.

Kenneth Coghlan filed the motion Friday federal court in the case of James Everett Dutschke. Coghlan was appointed to the case Wednesday after two federal public defenders asked to withdraw as Dutschke’s lawyers.

Coghlan said in his motion that he needs more time to prepare.

Coghlan was appointed after public defenders George Lucas and Gregory Park asked the judge to replace them due to undisclosed conflicts with another client in the public defender’s office.

Dutschke is charged with sending ricin-tainted letters on April 8 to Obama, U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker and Lee County Justice Court Judge Sadie Holland.