Appeals Court Won't Speed Up DeLay Trial

A Texas appeals court on Thursday rejected a bid by U.S. Rep. Tom DeLay to get a speedy trial on a money-laundering charge lodged against the powerful Republican lawmaker.

DeLay had sought an quick trial on the charge in the hopes that an acquittal would allow him to return to his post as U.S. House of Representatives Majority Leader next month.

He gave up that post in September after he was indicted in Travis County, Texas on charges related to violations of campaign-finance laws.

DeLay's lawyer, Dick DeGuerin, said he would appeal the ruling from the three-judge panel and ask the state's highest criminal appeals court to dismiss the case.

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