Attorney: Campaign ads damaged Handy's right to fair trial
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March 03, 2010 11:55 PM
Jeremy Roebuck
The Monitor

McALLEN — A vicious campaign battle between County Commissioner Sylvia Handy’s former chief of staff and one of her chief political rivals has damaged her chances of receiving a fair trial in Hidalgo County, her lawyer said.

Attorney Al Alvarez pointed to negative campaign ads run by both men — in which his client appeared front and center — in asking a federal judge to postpone jury selection in her case. U.S. District Judge Ricardo Hinojosa had previously set the selection process to begin Monday next week.

“The publicity is inflammatory and inaccurate,â€