Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK — Originally set to begin next week, the trial of a Russellville doctor charged with federal weapons and obstruction of justice charges has been rescheduled for March 15.
U.S. District Judge Brian Miller agreed to reset the trial date for Randeep Mann and his wife, Sangeeta “Sue” Mann, who faces obstruction and concealing evidence charges, after a motion filed by his attorney.
The U.S. attorney’s office did not object to delaying the trial, which was do to begin here Monday.
“The failure to grant a continuance would deny defendant reasonable time necessary for effective preparation, taking into account the exercise of due diligence,” Miller said in an order issued Aug. 21.
Randeep Mann, who pleaded innocent to the charges, has been identified by federal authorities as the prime suspect in a West Memphis car bombing that injured state Medical Board chairman Dr. Trent Pierce.
Randeep Mann, 51, who had a medical practice in Russellville, has been in custody since his March 4 arrest on a single count of possessing unregistered machine guns and explosives only permitted for military.
He pleaded innocent this month in a new seven-count indictment charging him with illegal possession of 98 hand grenades and a machine gun, two counts of possessing unregistered firearms and one count each of conspiracy to obstruct or impede proceedings and aiding and abetting in the concealment of evidence.
The new indictment also charged Sue Mann with one count each of conspiring to obstruct or impede proceedings, concealing evidence and making a false declaration to a federal grand jury.
