NORWICH – Following an emergency conference called by the court Tuesday, the murder retrial case of Peter M. Wlasiuk set to begin Monday March 3, has been moved to the first week in May.

The motion to postpone the case came at the request of defense attorney Randel Scharf of Cooperstown.

Broome County Judge Martin Smith’s decision to adjourn the trial was made in a closed meeting and no information was provided as to why the motion had been approved, other than to say it was at the request of the defense.

District Attorney Joseph McBride said he could not comment on the case except to say it had been “postponed at the request of the defense.” The judge told attorneys at a pre-trial hearing in the spring not to discuss the case with the media after the defense raised concerns of public bias.

Scharf could not be reached for comment.