Stanford asks for another trial delay after experts resign

Expert witnesses working for alleged Ponzi schemer R. Allen Stanford’s defense have resigned because they haven’t been paid, the Houston Chronicle reports, citing a request made by the former billionaire’s lawyers to postpone his trial. Last week, U.S. District Judge David Hittner rejected a previous request for a 90-day continuance in the trial of Stanford, who is accused of swindling investors out of $7 billion. The latest request asks the judge to reconsider and notes Stanford—who was only last month deemed competent to assist his attorneys—needs time to go through the evidence in the case in order to assist in his defense. So far, all expenses submitted to the district court have been within the budget previously submitted to the court, but experts haven’t been paid for four months, according to a recent motion filed by Stanford’s government-appointed lawyers. The attorneys, therefore, can’t prepare for trial or meet the court’s deadlines, they argue. Previously, Stanford’s lawyers have claimed he suffered brain damage in a jailhouse attack that rendered him unable to assist in his own defense. His original trial date in January 2011 was postponed so he could undergo a series of evaluations at a federal prison hospital. Hittner previously ordered jury selection to begin Jan. 23 in the case. It’s unclear when he’ll rule on Stanford’s latest request for a delay. Read the full story here.