The Nation : Judge Delays Mechams’ Criminal Trial

A judge in Phoenix has agreed to delay the criminal trial of former Arizona Gov. Evan Mecham and his brother, Willard, for a month. Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan announced his decision after Michael Scott, a lawyer for Evan Mecham, said he had a scheduling conflict with an unrelated case set for trial April 19. Ryan agreed to postpone the Mechams’ trial to May 19 from April 21, despite the objections of Assistant Attys. Gen. Barnett Lotstein and Michael Cudahy. The new trial date is two days after a recall gubernatorial election scheduled for May 17. The Mechams were indicted by a state grand jury in January on charges of violating state laws by concealing a $350,000 campaign loan.