Prosecutor calls judge's trial date ruling 'obscene'

http://espn.go.com/nba/news/2002/1209/1474401.html

DETROIT -- Sacramento Kings star Chris Webber's federal perjury trial can wait until after the NBA season ends, a federal judge ruled.

Webber, father Mayce Webber Jr. and aunt Charlene Johnson are charged with obstruction of justice and perjury. They are accused of lying to a federal grand jury about their dealings with ex-University of Michigan basketball booster Eddie Martin.

Martin says he gave $616,000 to Webber and four other Wolverines players while they were amateurs. Martin, who pleaded guilty to illegal gambling, said he gave Webber and his family $280,000.

On Monday, U.S. District Judge Nancy G. Edmunds set the Webber family's trial for July 8.

Edmunds initially suggested the trial be held in May or June, before agreeing to a request from Webber's lawyer, Steven Fishman, to set it after the NBA playoffs end in June.

"There is no reason I can think of,'' said Fishman, to hold the trial in the middle of the season. He said that would be a hardship on the NBA, the Sacramento Kings and their fans.

A federal prosecutor strongly objected to the delay.

"Frankly, it is obscene,'' Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Convertino said. He said Martin's age of 68 could present a problem and said a delay might indefinitely postpone the trial.

Edmunds said the court often agrees to work around the schedule of "seasonal'' employees, like Webber.

"I'm surprised you would use the word obscene,'' Edmunds replied. "We accommodate people, in the court, for all kinds of reasons ... and we would be hard-pressed to hold this trial before July.''

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Now that is what I call a huge leniency!!