Preliminary hearing continued for man accused of killing trooper

<br>LAWTON, Okla. (AP) _ A preliminary hearing for a man accused of killing a state trooper has been postponed until May 20 while the defendant gets new attorneys. <br><br>Ricky Ray Malone's preliminary

Tuesday, March 9th 2004, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

LAWTON, Okla. (AP) _ A preliminary hearing for a man accused of killing a state trooper has been postponed until May 20 while the defendant gets new attorneys.

Ricky Ray Malone's preliminary hearing was originally scheduled to begin Monday.

Associate District Judge Leo A. Watson approved a motion filed by attorney Silas R. Lyman II to remove himself from the case along with the rest of Malone's defense team.

Lyman said there was ``an air of anxiety and distrust between Mr. Malone and his trial team.''

Malone is accused of the Dec. 26 shooting death of Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper Nikky Green.