NATION IN BRIEF : FLORIDA : Co-Defendant Turns Against Noriega

A lawyer and co-defendant of Manuel A. Noriega told a trial judge in Miami that he will plead guilty and testify against the former Panamanian leader. Ricardo Bilonick will give “significant testimony” against Noriega, Assistant U.S. Atty. Myles Malman told U.S. District Judge William M. Hoeveler. Bilonick is charged in a 1988 indictment with racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to manufacture, import and distribute cocaine and importing more than a ton of it. Under a plea bargain, he would plead guilty to racketeering conspiracy and the other charges would be dropped, said his lawyer, Daniel Forman.