Lawyers were unable to present opening arguments at the fraud trial of Conrad Black Monday after concerns were raised over the news that settlements had been struck with a key prosecution witness.

Conrad Black, left, leaves the federal court building with his wife Barbara Amiel, right, during a recess in his fraud and racketeering trial in Chicago on Monday.
(Charles Rex Arbogast/Associated Press)

Judge Amy St. Eve adjourned proceedings in the Chicago courtroom until Tuesday after questioning the jurors to see if they had read about the developments regarding David Radler over the weekend.

Black's lawyer, Ed Genson, had earlier asked St. Eve to delay opening arguments, arguing that the timing of Radler's settlement announcements is interfering with Black's right to a fair trial.

Radler, a former president of Hollinger and a longtime business partner of Black, has pleaded guilty to a single charge of fraud and has agreed to co-operate in the prosecution of Black in return for a reduced jail sentence of 29 months. 

On Sunday, Radler's lawyers announced a settlement of a lawsuit filed against him by Sun-Times Media Group Inc., formerly known as Hollinger International. Radler, lawyers said, would pay $63.4 million US to settle current claims and potential additional claims against him related to recent findings about backdated stock options. 

On Friday, Radler agreed to return $28.7 million US to Hollinger shareholders as part of a settlement with U.S. securities regulators in a move legal experts say could enhance his credibility when he testifies.

Black is accused of 14 criminal charges that range from racketeering to mail fraud and tax evasion. Three former business associates are also on trial.

The main allegation revolves around the U.S. government's assertion that Black, 62, defrauded the minority shareholders of his former holding company, Hollinger International, of millions of dollars by illegally diverting money from the sale of Hollinger newspapers. The former press baron has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Conrad Black is escorted by a security official as he arrives at the federal courthouse in Chicago Monday.
(Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press)

The jury was selected last week.

CBC's Mike Hornbrook, covering the trial, said prosecutors can be expected to play up the fact that Radler admits his guilt, and is giving back large amounts of money, while Black denies he has done anything wrong.

Black said little as he arrived at the Chicago courthouse, accompanied by his wife, Barbara Amiel Black, and his daughter, Alana, saying only that "I have made my views quite clear."

But as they entered a courthouse elevator, Amiel Black lashed out at some reporters covering the trial, reportedly referring to one outside the elevator doors as a "slut." With some journalists still in the elevator, she continued her attack, saying "these terrible vermin, they make me sick."

With files from the Canadian Press