Barr’s White House run delays molestation trial

Libertarian candidate can’t adequately defend DragonCon founder on child molestation charges

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Libertarian presidential candidate Bob Barr filed court papers last year decrying an “overwhelming sense of injustice” toward DragonCon founder Edward Kramer, who has been awaiting trial since 2000 on child molestation charges.

Now Barr is responsible for the latest delay in the case because he’s running for president.

Recent headlines:

   • Gwinnett County news

Barr, one of two defense attorneys representing Kramer, has asked a Gwinnett judge to postpone Kramer’s trial until after the Nov. 4 elections while he pursues the country’s highest office. The trial had been set to begin on July 21, court records show.

Barr did not return calls to his campaign office seeking comment on Wednesday morning.

Barr’s motion for a continuance said duties during the campaign “preclude him from being adequately prepared for and present during the defendant’s trial.” Prosecutors filed no objection. A judge agreed in July to reset the trial on or after Nov. 24.

Kramer is a science-fiction author who founded DragonCon, a sci-fi, fantasy and gaming convention that brings thousands of visitors to Atlanta every year. He has been accused of molesting three teenage boys, who are now adults.

Kramer has argued that multiple delays have violated his constitutional right to a speedy trial, however the Georgia Court of Appeals ruled last year that the delays were mostly his fault.

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