Dally Defense Told to Turn Over Records

Attorneys for slaying suspect Michael Dally must turn over documents and other information about his case so that prosecutors can prepare for his trial, a Superior Court judge ruled Monday.

Prosecutors filed a motion about two weeks ago asking Judge Frederick A. Jones to order Dally’s defense team to reveal any information they have gathered in the case.

But defense attorney James Farley told the judge in a motion filed last week that he has not had time to compile such information, called discovery.

“Defense attorneys, besides carrying full caseloads, have had only four months’ investigative time,” he wrote in the brief.

Farley said that because Dally’s defense team has had to read and evaluate 11,000 pages of written material now compiled in the high-profile case, defense attorneys have not had time to plan a strategy.

“There has not been any decisions as to what, when, where and how this defense will proceed,” Farley wrote. “Much of the defense will not be considered until after certain motions . . . are decided by the court.”

But Farley’s request to delay turning over discovery until they get closer to trial was denied.

A separate motion filed by Dally’s co-defendant, Diana Haun, to defer discovery for the penalty phase of the trial, if it reaches that point, was put off for a later date.

Dally, 36, and Haun, 35, are accused of plotting and carrying out the slaying of Dally’s 35-year-old wife, Sherri.

They are charged with murder, kidnapping and conspiracy, plus a special circumstance allegation that Sherri Dally’s slaying was committed for financial gain.

A trial date hasn’t been set.