Stanford, co-defendants to be tried separately

HOUSTON — A judge has granted a request to have jailed Texas financier R. Allen Stanford tried separately from his three co-defendants on charges that they bilked investors out of $7 billion in a massive Ponzi scheme.

U.S. District Judge David Hittner of Houston signed an order Wednesday granting the request by attorneys for Laura Pendergest-Holt, Gilbert Lopez and Mark Kuhrt.

The three former executives in Stanford's company had asked to be tried separately, saying that Stanford's "circus-like" conduct in the case, including continuously changing attorneys, would affect their right to a fair trial.

Prosecutors had objected to the request. Bob Bennett, Stanford's criminal attorney, said he welcomes the trial.

Stanford's trial will begin on Jan. 24. The other three defendants will be tried jointly sometime after that.