Pellicano trial delayed until next year

LOS ANGELES, May 22 (UPI) -- A federal judge delayed until 2008 the racketeering and wiretapping trial of Hollywood private eye Anthony Pellicano to make way for a new defense lawyer.

The postponement until Feb. 27 is the third time U.S. District Judge Dale S. Fischer agreed the complex case merited a delay, The Los Angeles Times reported Tuesday.

The delay also will provide more time to resolve pretrial issues.

During a hearing Monday, Fischer directed both sides to reach an accord on how hard drives taken from Pellicano's office computers may be shared with the defense team without breaching attorney-client privilege, or divulging personal or private data that not relevant to the case, the Tribune said.

The former private detective and five co-defendants, including entertainment attorney Terry Christensen, pleaded innocent in March to the latest indictment, which alleges Pellicano conspired with others to illegally access confidential information for clients either engaged in legal action or attempting to intimidate others.

The indictment was the fourth in a long-running investigation of Pellicano.

The new attorney is Adam Braun, who represents software engineer Kevin Kachikian, accused of helping Pellicano conduct illegal wiretaps, the Tribune reported.