Ark. Judge Threatens Mistrial Over Slow ATF Data

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - The judge hearing the case of a doctor accused of nearly killing the chief of the Arkansas Medical Board with a bomb has threatened a mistrial if federal agents don't provide information that the defense is seeking.

U.S. District Judge Brian Miller said Wednesday he would force a new start to the four-week trial if the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms does not comply with subpoenas issued by the defense.

The matter was taken up after testimony concluded for the day Wednesday. Erin Cassinelli Couch, a lawyer for Dr. Randeep Mann, told the judge that the ATF had supplied redacted versions of some documents and complained that the agency kept changing its procedures.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Gordon said he'd been encouraging the ATF to provide the information. The Little Rock ATF office didn't immediately return a call from the AP.