U.S. urges federal judge to stick with October trial in terrorism case

DETROIT (AP) -- Federal prosecutors in Detroit are urging a judge to reject a postponement of the fall trial of a Nigerian accused of trying to blow up a plane on Christmas Day 2009. The government says lawyer Anthony Chambers can't make the request because he's only advising Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, who insists on representing himself. The government doubts that Abdulmutallab even was aware of Chambers' request that the Oct. 4 trial date be changed. Chambers also wants to change the June 24 deadline to challenge evidence in the case. Chambers says prosecutors presented him with considerable new material on June 1. But in a court filing last Friday, the government says there's just a small amount of new information. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Tukel says "needless delays have to stop." Published: Tue, Jun 21, 2011