North’s Lawyers Seek More Time to File Appeal

Lawyers for former White House aide Oliver L. North asked a federal judge Wednesday to delay plans to give independent prosecutor Lawrence E. Walsh an outline of defense testimony for his upcoming trial.

In papers filed in federal court, North’s lawyers asked U.S. District Judge Gerhard A. Gesell to stay an earlier ruling until Jan. 12, giving them more time to prepare an appeal.

When Gesell announced his plan Friday to share the 162-page document with the government for review of classified information that might be exposed at trial, he said he would give the defense until next Tuesday to appeal.

Threatens Delay

North’s latest challenge threatens to delay the start of his Jan. 31 trial on 14 criminal counts, including conspiracy charges. North and three other persons were indicted in March, 1987, on charges stemming from the diversion to Nicaraguan rebels of profits from the secret arms sales to Iran.

North’s lawyers argue that sharing potential defense testimony with prosecutors will violate North’s constitutional right to due process and effective counsel.

In court papers, North’s lawyers said that their client would be irreparably harmed by disclosure of the lengthy document and should not be forced to provide a road map of his defense in advance of the trial.

Defense attorney Barry Simon asked Gesell to stay the ruling until Jan. 12 to give the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia an opportunity to review the appeal and/or allow time to petition for a writ of mandamus ordering Gesell to alter his ruling.