Scholar Kidnapping Suspect Wants Judge Off Case

URBANA, IL — Lawyers for a former physics student accused of kidnapping and killing a University of Illinois scholar from China intend to ask the presiding federal judge to recuse himself in the death penalty case.

A two-page filing in central Illinois federal doesn't spell out why Brendt Christensen's attorneys think Colin Stirling Bruce should step aside. The document filed Wednesday requests he let them submit a recusal motion under seal.

Defense attorney Robert Tucker declined comment Thursday.

Prosecutors announced Jan. 19 they'll seek capital punishment, saying Christensen allegedly tortured Yingying Zhang before killing her.

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The defense said in another filing they'll need until mid-2019 to prepare for trial, including to possibly research of Christensen's genealogy and prenatal care to shed light on his mental state. Prosecutors want the trial this October.

Brendt Christensen/Macon County Sheriff's Office via AP File