Nation IN BRIEF : NEW YORK : Violations Alleged in Helmsley Trial

A U.S. judge in New York agreed to hold a hearing Nov. 20 to determine whether federal prosecutors violated an immunity agreement by improperly using grand jury testimony in the tax evasion trial of hotel queen Leona Helmsley. A finding for the Helmsley defense could result in a reversal of the Aug. 30 federal income tax evasion conviction. At the probation department’s request, Judge John Walker delayed Helmsley’s sentencing to Dec. 12 from Nov. 14. The hearing will deal with testimony that Helmsley gave before a state grand jury in an unrelated case. She had testified under an agreement that her statements would not be used against her.