Man accused of burying Florida girl alive seeks to delay his murder trial

Saturday, January 20th 2007, 2:11 pm

By: News On 6

INVERNESS, Fla. (AP) _ Attorneys for a man accused of burying alive a 9-year-old girl after kidnapping and raping her have asked a judge to delay the murder trial while they interview new prosecutors' witnesses.

John Couey's attorneys say the Feb. 12 trial date should be pushed back so they can question the seven witnesses added to prosecutors' list earlier this month, including a jailer who says the suspect gave him details of the slaying.

It was not known when Circuit Judge Ric Howard might rule on the request.

Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for the March 2005 slaying of Jessica Lunsford, whose body was found when Couey told authorities where to look near her Homosassa home in central Florida. Couey has pleaded not guilty to the charges of first-degree murder, sexual battery on a child, kidnapping and battery.