U.S. District Judge suspended the trial date for U.S. Rep. William Jefferson pending his appeal. Jefferson has filed a novel challenge over the use of privileged material in the grand jury that led to his indictment on corruption charges.

Jefferson is claiming protections under the speech and debate clause, click here.

His trial was scheduled to start Feb. 25. However, he is now challenging 14 of the 16 counts. Such appeals before trial are generally discouraged and disfavored, particularly in the conservative Fourth Circuit.

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