Conrad Black will be tried with three co-defendants when he goes on trial in Chicago in March, a U.S. judge has ruled.

In a written decision released this week, U.S. District Court Judge Amy St. Eve said a motion by Black's co-defendants to be tried apart from him has been denied.

Former newspaper tycoon Conrad Black talks to reporters as he leaves Chicago's federal building after a court appearance on Sept. 8, 2006. Former newspaper tycoon Conrad Black talks to reporters as he leaves Chicago's federal building after a court appearance on Sept. 8, 2006.
(Associated Press/M. Spencer Green)

"The court will address defendants' concerns through appropriate jury instructions," she wrote in her decision.

The judge said those instructions will be given to a jury to avoid "spillover guilt" involving Black and his lower profile co-defendants.

Black and former Hollinger International chief financial officer John Boultbee, former vice-president Peter Atkinson and former general counsel Mark Kipnis face several charges connected to allegations they took more than $80 million US from the company.

All four men have pleaded not guilty to the charges. Their trial is set to begin on March 14.

David Radler, Black's longtime business partner, has pleaded guilty to one charge and has been helping the prosecution in its case against Black and the others.

With files from Canadian Press