In Thursday’s hearing, U.S. District Court for the NMI Chief Judge Alex R. Munson ordered that the speedy trial for Oscar King be waived until Oct. 31, 2008, saying that “the ends of justice would be served by allowing the defense further time to review the evidences in preparation for trial.”
He said giving the defense more time outweighs any other interests the public or the defendant may have.
King appeared in court with his court-appointed counsel Mark Hanson while the federal government was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric O’Malley.
Munson ordered the jury trial to commence on Oct. 20 at 9 a.m.
The defendant will be allowed to remain at liberty.
The jury trial of King, who entered a not guilty plea, was originally scheduled to start today.
In a separate hearing, King’s co-defendant, 33-year-old Guihualyu King, also known as Mimi, entered into a plea agreement and pleaded guilty to the charges.
King was represented by her counsel Vincent Seman while the federal government was represented by O’Malley.
The court accepted King’s plea and plea agreement after reviewing its every element.
The federal government reported to the court that they would be able to prove if the matter proceeded to trial.
The court ordered a pre-sentence investigation report to be submitted by Oct. 21 and set the sentencing hearing for Nov. 25 at 9:30 a.m.
King was ordered back to the custody of the U.S. Marshal Service after the hearing.
The two defendants were charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine hydrochloride or “ice,” and two counts of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance on April 12 on Tinian.
The indictment stated that the two defendants possessed and distributed approximately 1.5 grams of “ice.”
