Judge grants delay for ethics trial of indicted House Speaker Mike Hubbard

A judge is delaying the ethics trial of Alabama House Speaker Mike Hubbard for two weeks until mid-April.

Lee County Circuit Judge Jacob Walker ruled Thursday that he will push back the trial until April 11 after the defense appeals some of his pre-trial decisions to the Alabama Supreme Court.

Hubbard was scheduled to go to trial March 28 on felony charges of using his office for personal financial gain.

Defense attorney Bill Baxley argued that additional delays might be needed. Baxley says Hubbard’s current legal team has only been on the case for a few months and may need more time to prepare.

The judge agreed to only a brief delay. Walker told lawyers to be ready with questions for potential jurors on March 28.

Republished with permission of the Associated Press.