Defense attorney says witnesses in Pitino extortion trial may have lied, no specifics given

Defense: Witnesses in Pitino trial may have lied

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The attorney for the woman convicted of trying to extort University of Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino says prosecution witnesses may have lied during trial.

James Earhart made the allegation in a motion filed in U.S. District Court in Louisville asking for more time to request a new trial. The motion says “a key witness or witnesses” in the case of 50-year-old Karen Cunagin Sypher may have committed perjury. It does not provide specifics.

Earhart has asked U.S. District Judge Charles R. Simpson for 45 days to investigate and request a new trial.

Sypher was convicted earlier this month of extortion, lying to the FBI and retaliating against a witness. Prosecutors said Sypher demanded millions in cash, cars and a house from Pitino to stay quiet about their one-night stand at a Louisville restaurant in 2003.