MIAMI, FLORIDA — Prosecutors on Monday asked the judge in the Jose Padilla terrorism’support case to punish a defense attorney who leaked transcripts of Padilla’s intercepted phone conversations, saying the leak violated a court order and could jeopardize selection of an impartial jury.

The transcripts were part of a Jan. 4 New York Times story that raised questions about the strength of the case against Padilla.

U.S. District Judge Marcia Cooke scheduled a hearing Wednesday on the issue.

Padilla, a 36-year-old U.S. citizen and former Chicago gang member, is charged with being part of a North American cell that provided cash, supplies and recruits to Islamic extremists.

A spokeswoman for the Times declined to comment. None of the four defense lawyers responded to e-mail messages seeking comment about the latest government claims.

Source: Chicago Tribune