Former Whispering Palms School principal Thomas Weindl has informed the federal court that he needs more time to understand the nature of the U.S. government's case against him.
Weindl, through counsel David G. Banes, and assistant U.S. attorney Rami Badawy, agreed to postpone the jury trial-currently set for Oct. 1, 2012-to a later date and time convenient to the court and the parties.
Banes said the parties are still conducting discovery, made complicated by the allegedly illicit material involved in the case that could only be viewed at the U.S. Attorney's Office, under the supervision of FBI agents and U.S. attorneys.
Banes said the suspect, who is currently in jail, wishes to be present and needs to have his computer expert present as well as his counsel.
“[Weindl] requires more time in order to have a reasonable opportunity to understand the nature of the government's case, review the available evidence through an expert, and discuss his case with defense counsel,” Banes said.
He said the results of these discussions may impact the nature of the pre-trial motions to be filed by the defense as well as any possible pre-trial resolution of the matter.
The indictment charged the 57-year-old Weindl with two counts of receipt of child pornography, and two counts of access with intent to view child pornography. He allegedly used a netbook to review several child pornographic materials. He pleaded not guilty.
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