Absent defense stalls Pearl trial

Saeed: The prime suspect in the case

HYDERABAD, Pakistan (CNN) -- The trial of four men accused in the kidnapping and death of U.S. journalist Daniel Pearl ended Friday less than an hour after it started because defense attorneys for three of the accused were not present.

The trial will resume Monday.

Earlier this week, the Sindh High Court granted the prosecuting attorneys' request to move the proceedings from Karachi to the Hyderabad Central Jail because of terror threats. Also, the court agreed with a prosecution request for a new judge.

Hyderabad is 90 miles northeast of Karachi. Both cities are in Sindh province.

Pearl was kidnapped January 23 on his way to interview a Muslim fundamentalist leader in Pakistan. On February 21, the U.S. State Department confirmed Pearl was killed, based on a videotape showing his body, which has not yet been found.

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Charged along with Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh -- believed to have orchestrated the kidnapping -- are Sheikh Adil, Salman Saquib and his brother, Fahad Naseem.

They are charged with murder, conspiracy to commit kidnapping for ransom and acts of terror, also known as harassment of the public. If convicted, they could face the death penalty.

Confession

The four suspects pleaded not guilty to the charges. Warrants also have been issued for seven other people, who remain at large.

The trial began nearly two weeks ago and was expected to last a week, however numerous requests -- such as the changes in venue and the judge -- have delayed the proceedings. So far, five witnesses have testified and 30 more are expected to take the stand.

Last week, three police officers testified they heard Saeed's confession to his involvement in the kidnapping and that Pearl was dead.

No ruling has been made on whether the testimony is admissible. Saeed wasn't under oath at the time he made the statement. He was taken into custody February 4, but didn't make his confession until February 15.

A fourth witness, Jameel Yusuf of the citizen's police liaison committee and chief investigator in the Pearl case, said he met with Pearl on January 23, when the Wall Street Journal reporter received a call from one of the suspects in the case, phone records later revealed.

Later that same day, a taxi driver took Pearl to a restaurant where the journalist was seen entering a white car with Saeed.