Ala fan wants trial delayed to attend game

A Bessemer, Alabama attorney wants to delay a civil trial to attend the BCS National Championship football game.

By: Linda White | Alabama's13.com
Published: December 16, 2009

Many Alabama football fans are finalizing plans to head out to Pasadena, California for the BCS National Championship game versus the University of Texas. The game will be held at the Rose Bowl on Jan. 7.

At last check, tickets started at $750 and went up to $6,700 per seat. Part of those plans include asking off for work, but an attorney in Bessemer has made an unusual, official request.

That request is to delay the start of a civil case in the Bessemer division of the Jefferson County Circuit Court. The attorney has tickets to the Jan. 7 BCS National Championship game, but the trial is scheduled to begin on the 4th. What are his chances for winning the delay? Another circuit court judge deliberates on the answer.

10th Circuit Court Judge Scott Vowell said, "As an Auburn man, I feel that way too. I'm proud the state's going to be so well represented. I would prefer it to be Auburn, but since it's not, I hope the very best for the Alabama team."

It's been a long time coming for some, including a Bessemer attorney, Jon Terry, who in this motion, is asking that his civil trial before Judge Dan King, be delayed in the Bessemer division of the Jefferson County Circuit Court. Terry makes nine points to argue his case including, number 9: "Roll Tide."

Judge Vowell, supervisor in the Birmingham division, said courts won't close on those days before and after the big game, but each judge has the right to set up his or her own schedule. After reading Terry's motion, Judge Vowell said he appreciated the honesty.

Judge Vowell said, "Well, we hear a lot of excuses from people who need to postpone their cases because it's not ready for trial or they haven't completed discovery or for some other reason, and it's very refreshing to get an absolutely candid motion for a continuance, they want to go to the football game and just because of the honesty I believe I would have to grant that motion."

Even though he's an Auburn man...

We made several attempts to talk to Judge King and Attorney Jon Terry for comment. Neither returned our calls, nor did opposing attorneys in the civil case.