New U.S. Indictment Seen in Spy Case

A defense attorney for accused Navy spy Jerry A. Whitworth said Monday that he expects a new federal indictment to be handed down against his client today, including charges based on grand jury testimony by convicted spymaster John A. Walker Jr.

Attorney Tony Tamburello said if this turns out to be true, he and chief defense attorney James Larson may seek a delay in the scheduled Jan. 13 start of the Whitworth trial.

Assistant U.S. Atty. William Farmer would not confirm that a new indictment was imminent, but indicated in the courtroom of U.S. District Judge John P. Vukasin Jr. that his team of prosecutors is delaying filing motions pending new developments.

Walker, who has promised the government he will cooperate in prosecution of Whitworth, a Navy acquaintance, was in San Francisco last week to testify before the grand jury. Walker, a career Navy officer, pleaded guilty in Baltimore Oct. 28 to espionage charges in an agreement that required him to cooperate in proceedings against Whitworth.

Whitworth, 46, had left the Navy and his job as a chief radioman by the time he was implicated in the espionage case.