Diana inquest judge demands evidence in conspiracy claims | StarNewsOnline.com | Star-News | Wilmington, NC

Diana inquest judge demands evidence in conspiracy claims StarNewsOnline.com Star-News Wilmington, NC: "Diana inquest judge demands evidence in conspiracy claims

By Jennifer Quinn,
Associated Press

LONDON A British judge demanded Monday that those who believe Princess Diana and her boyfriend Dodi Fayed were murdered should show her the evidence, and said she may delay an inquest into their deaths until October.

The long-awaited inquest could also hear testimony about Diana's alleged fears for her life, the significance of a ring purchased by Fayed, and whether the princess was pregnant, lawyers said during preliminary hearings at London's High Court.

After originally declaring she would be extremely reluctant to delay the inquest's May 8 start date, Baroness Elizabeth Butler-Sloss, a retired judge overseeing the proceedings, conceded the demands of lawyers and witnesses could lead to a postponement. The inquest could last as long as eight months.

Monday's hearings were procedural, with arguments over everything from the suitability of the courtroom to the use of computer virtual reality in reconstructing the crash."