Ex-Ind. SOS White given 2 weeks to file papers

NOBLESVILLE, Ind. (AP) — A judge has set a March 15 deadline for the attorney for former Indiana Secretary of State Charlie White to file papers explaining why he deserves a new trial on vote fraud and theft charges.

Hamilton Superior Court Judge Steven Nation set the deadline this week for attorney Andrea Ciobanu to file White's petition for post-conviction relief petition. Nation also scheduled a June 4 hearing on the petition.

Special prosecutor Dan Sigler tells The Indianapolis Star (http://indy.st/YLdkI8 ) that Nation didn't rule on prosecutors' motion for White to begin serving his sentence of one year on home detention.

White has remained free since he was convicted a year ago on three counts of voter fraud, two counts of perjury and one count of theft. The convictions forced him from office.