Trial delayed in bank robbery case

OXFORD, Miss. (AP) — A federal judge has delayed the trial of an Alabama man charged in the robberies of four north Mississippi banks.

U.S. District Judge Neal Biggers agreed to a defense request to have more time to prepare for the trial of Brian Perry Jones. The trial, which had been set for March 4, is now scheduled for April 1.

Jones, of Toney, Ala., has pleaded not guilty to four counts of bank robbery by force or violence.

Jones is charged in four separate bank robberies beginning with the Aug. 16, 2012 robbery of the Renasant Bank branch in Iuka. He is also accused in the Nov. 16 robbery of Renasant Bank in Booneville and two separate robberies on Sept. 21, 2012 and Nov. 19, 2012, of Renasant Bank branches in Tupelo.