Lockerbie bombing trial postponed by US judge days b

A federal judge postponed the trial of the man authorities allege built the bomb that blew New York-bound Pan Am flight 103 out of the sky over Lockerbie, Scotland, killing 270 people in 1988.



Jury selection had been scheduled to begin on Wednesday in the trial of Abu Agila Mohammad Mas'ud Kheir Al-Marimi, a Libyan intelligence operative who prosecutors allege once confessed to his role in the 1988 bombing.



In the decision to postpone the trial, U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich cited the discovery of new evidence that defense attorneys want to examine.



The judge said "the newly discovered evidence, as well as evidence located in other countries" and "the need for the defense to determine how best to defend this case" made her reach the decision.



Friedrich did not schedule a new trial date but set a court hearing on September 1 to discuss next steps.