Auburn Toomer's Corner poisoning trial delayed

OPELIKA, Ala. (AP) — A judge on Thursday delayed the trial of an Alabama fan charged with poisoning Auburn’s cherished Toomer’s Corner oak trees, citing increased media attention stemming from a report this week that the defendant confessed outside the courtroom.

Defense attorneys for Harvey Updyke have also asked the judge to move the trial to a different location, saying that the jury pool so close to Auburn University has been tainted. Judge Jacob Walker said Thursday that he would schedule a hearing to consider the request. He set an Oct. 1 trial date, court filings show.