The Associated Press State & Local Wire

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March 2, 2004, Tuesday, BC cycle

Trial delayed for man accused in cop killing

SECTION: State and Regional

LENGTH: 180 words

DATELINE: GALLUP, N.M.

The trial for a man accused of killing a Gallup police officer has been delayed.
State District Judge Grant Foutz granted a continuance Tuesday in the trial of Robert Kiro after public defender Jeff Rein told the court that a psychiatrist who interviewed Kiro in January was not licensed to practice medicine in New Mexico.
The state threatened to prosecute psychiatrist Lloyd Matthews if he testified in the case. Matthews voluntarily surrendered his license in North Carolina after he was accused of having sex with a former patient, Prosecutor Michael Cox said.
Kiro’s trial was scheduled to begin Monday. A new date has not been set, Rein said.
The trial has been repeatedly delayed, largely over procedural matters.
Kiro is charged with capital murder in the shooting death of Cpl. Larry Brian Mitchell after a nine-hour standoff with police on May 30, 2001.
In October, Kiro pleaded guilty in connection with a July 4 escape from the Gallup jail and was sentenced to a year in prison under a plea agreement. He was recaptured a day after the escape.