Ex-Easley aide asks again for trial delay

Ruffin Poole was indicted in January on more than 50 charges of extortion, bribery, racketeering, money laundering and mail fraud. Prosecutors filed additional charges in March against Poole, 38, who was Easley's legal counsel and trusted adviser during the governor's two terms in office.

U.S. District Judge Terrence Boyle set an April 26 trial date, saying it was in the best interest of both sides to bring the case against Poole to a speedy conclusion.

Poole's lawyer, Joe Zeszotarski, saw his initial request for an August trial denied.

On Friday, he filed a supplemental memo with the court, noting that the additional charges bring additional evidence for him to review in the case.

“It is temporally and physically impossible for defendant and his counsel to complete the tasks necessary to adequately prepare for trial prior to the current trial setting,” Zeszotarski wrote.