Lawyer wants Detroit airline attack trial delayed

DETROIT (AP) -- An attorney asked Tuesday for a new trial date in the case of a Nigerian man accused of trying to blow up a Detroit-bound plane. The deadline to challenge evidence is June 24, and a trial for Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab is scheduled Oct. 4. Attorney Anthony Chambers said he wants both dates to change because he just received more evidence from prosecutors on June 1. "It is clear that the government has had this information for some time, yet they decided to release the documents to standby counsel with less than a month left until the motion-cutoff date," Chambers wrote. He didn't describe the evidence. "It is unreasonable, in the exercise of due diligence, to expect adequate preparation for trial within the given time frame in light of the untimely new discovery that was recently provided," Chambers said. "... Failure to allow this adjournment may result in a miscarriage of justice." Chambers also said he has been unable to meet with Abdulmutallab because of another trial in the Virgin Islands. An email left by The Associated Press with the U.S. attorney's office in Detroit was not immediately returned. Abdulmutallab is charged with trying to blow up a plane as it approached Detroit from Amsterdam on Christmas Day 2009. Eleven crew members and 279 passengers were aboard. Published: Thu, Jun 16, 2011