McVEIGH'S team adds lawyers

<br>TULSA, Okla. (AP) _ A lawyer who handled Timothy McVeigh's direct appeal has rejoined his defense team as it weighs new evidence from the FBI, lawyers for the convicted Oklahoma City bomber said

Tuesday, May 22nd 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

TULSA, Okla. (AP) _ A lawyer who handled Timothy McVeigh's direct appeal has rejoined his defense team as it weighs new evidence from the FBI, lawyers for the convicted Oklahoma City bomber said Monday.

Richard Burr, a Houston attorney and death penalty expert, represented McVeigh at his trial and on appeal. He, along with another one of McVeigh's trial attorneys, Chris Tritico, are back on the team, McVeigh's lawyers said in a news release.

McVeigh has not decided whether to seek court relief in light of the FBI's disclosure that it had failed to turn over more than 3,000 investigative records to his defense.

``His position has not changed,'' lawyers Rob Nigh and Nathan Chambers said in the release. ``He is keeping his options open and will make an informed decision concerning the legal and factual information that we provide to him.''

They said they were not available to talk to the press.

``Because of the amount of work to be performed and the short time available, the defense team will not be able to return media calls for the time being,'' the release said.

McVeigh's lawyers are examining the documents to determine whether they provide an opportunity to challenge their client's conviction and death sentence for the April 1995 blast that killed 168 people and injured hundreds of others.

The FBI disclosure came just before McVeigh was scheduled to be put to death for the bombing.

McVeigh's execution, originally set for May 16, has been delayed by Attorney General John Ashcroft until June 11.