LOS ANGELES — A judge on Friday delayed the murder trial of Marion “Suge” Knight after the former rap music mogul hired the attorney who successfully defended Michael Jackson against child molestation charges.

The appearance of Thomas Mesereau prompted the judge to reschedule a hearing on a motion by Knight to dismiss murder, attempted murder and hit-and-run charges.

The motion was pushed back until July 7 to give Mesereau time to file his own legal documents and get more familiar with the case.

– From news service reports