Following Michael George’s conviction last month of the 1990 murder of his wife, his attorney, Carl Marlinga, has asked for an acquittal based on the “flimsy” evidence presented during the trial. Marlinga asked for this directed verdict during the trial but was denied.

But Marlinga has renewed the request in the wake of the conviction.

“There’s going to be a fight on this one either way,” Marlinga said.

On Thursday, Biernat ordered lawyers on both sides to file legal briefs, explaining in writing whether and why he should reconsider the issue before George’s sentencing, which is scheduled for May 27.

With this sort of legal maneuvering likely to go on for some while, Marlinga’s prediction that the case could go on for years could well be accurate.