CHICAGO, Jan. 21 (UPI) -- A Chicago federal judge has granted an appeal to delay the racketeering and corruption trial of former Illinois Gov. George Ryan for six months.
Ryan had been scheduled to stand trial March 14 but he sought to have the trial delayed until Sept. 26 because his lead attorney, Dan Webb, will be tied up in Washington in a major tobacco suit until July.
The former Republican governor appeared in court to make a personal plea for the delay saying he was "begging" for a postponement because Webb was key to the presentation of his defense, CLTV, a local cable news outlet said. Prosecutors said a delay would disrupt intensive trial preparations and travel plans for dozens of witnesses.
U.S. District Judge Rebecca R. Pallmeyer agreed to postpone the start of Ryan's trial for six months.
Ryan, 70, was indicted on federal racketeering charges in December 2003.
