CALI CARTEL LAWYERS DENIED NEW TRIAL

MIAMI (AP) -- A federal judge on Wednesday refused to grant a new
trial for two lawyers convicted of funneling hush money, delivering
threats and preparing false affidavits for Colombian drug kingpins.

Attorneys for Michael Abbell and William Moran last December sought a
new trial because a judge dismissed a juror in the men's trial last
summer after other jurors said she was prejudiced.

The remaining 11 convicted Moran and Abbell of two conspiracy charges
that each could bring them 20 years in prison. The jurors deadlocked
on two other conspiracy charges.

Judge William M. Hoeveler said he would hold a hearing on whether
Moran and Abbell's racketeering conspiracy conviction should stand. He
also acquitted them of conspiracy to import cocaine and conspiracy to
distribute cocaine, the charges on which the jury deadlocked.

Abbell's attorney, William Moffitt, said he found the ``opinion
puzzling, to say the least'' and would appeal once his client is
sentenced. Moran's attorney did not immediately return a message
seeking comment.

Prosecutors argued that Moran and Abbell, a former extradition expert
with the Justice Department, went beyond just zealously representing
their clients, members of the Cali drug cartel, and actually took part
in their crimes.