No New Judge in Stanford Case

Accused fraudster Allen Stanford is not getting a new judge.

Late Tuesday, a federal appeals court, without explanation, denied Stanford's petition to remove U.S. District Judge David Hittner from his criminal case. Stanford's attorneys asked for the change on Friday, citing "unexplained hostility" by Hittner.

Prosecutors argued against the change, calling it "drastic" and "premature."

Stanford remains jailed without bail after Hittner ruled in June that he is a flight risk. Hittner has also denied a Stanford motion to be moved to a jail closer to Houston, and blocked Stanford's plans to change attorneys.

It was that last ruling that prompted the appeal for a new judge.

Stanford's assets have all been frozen, leaving him no money to pay for a defense. He was hoping the new legal team could successfully argue to release some of the funds.

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