The sentencing has been delayed for the former Murray County chief magistrate who was found guilty on all six sex and corruption counts that he faced.
Judge Harold Murphy said in a written opinion that it would be prudent for him to first rule on a motion for a new trial that has been filed by the attorney for Bryant Cochran.
The sentencing had been set for Feb. 20.
No new date has yet been set.
The government had opposed the continuance.
Cochran attorney Page Pate also noted that he is due to begin a criminal trial on Feb. 16.
A jury at Rome, Ga., heard over a week of prosecution testimony, but only a few defense witnesses at the trial in early December. Cochran chose not to testify.
Cochran was charged with planting evidence on the vehicle of a woman who said she spurned his advances when she was seeking a warrant.
He was also charged with sexual advances on his chief clerk.
Two Murray County police officers and the Bryant handyman are already in prison on the case.