NATION IN BRIEF : FLORIDA : More Time Sought by Smith Accuser

Lawyers for the woman who accused William Kennedy Smith of rape asked a Palm Beach, Fla., judge for more time to submit medical records to the court and for those records to be kept confidential. Smith’s defense team is seeking access to the woman’s medical and psychiatric history, saying that instability and dislike of men could have prompted her to file the rape charges. Palm Beach Circuit Judge Mary Lupo has not granted that request, but she has ordered the woman’s attorneys to submit the information to her for review. A Jupiter, Fla., woman accused Smith of raping her at the Kennedy compound March 30 after he spent an evening drinking with his uncle, Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass). Smith denies the accusation, and trial is set for Jan. 15.