Judge delays former Phoenix bishop's trial until Jan. 12

Published: 2003-10-14

PHOENIX (CNS) -- A Maricopa County judge has delayed for eight weeks the trial of former Phoenix Bishop Thomas J. O'Brien, charged with killing a pedestrian in June and then leaving the scene of the accident. Superior Court Judge Stephen A. Gerst set a Jan. 12 starting date for the trial, which had been scheduled to begin Nov. 17. Bishop O'Brien was not present at the Oct. 10 hearing at which defense attorney Tom Henze requested the delay. Prosecutor Tom Novitsky said he was ready to go to trial but did not oppose the request. Bishop O'Brien, 67, has pleaded innocent to the felony charge.

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