Letterman extortion case to go to trial

A New York City court judge has ruled that the David Letterman extortion case will be decided on by a jury.

According to The AP, supreme court justice Charles Solomon refused to throw out an attempted grand larceny charge against ex-Late Show producer Robert Halderman, which could shed light on parts of Letterman's private life.

Last October, the case forced the presenter to admit that he had affairs with female staffers. Prosecutors said that Halderman demanded $2m (£1.2m) to keep quiet about the talkshow host's liaisons. Halderman countered that he was just offering Letterman a chance to buy a screenplay about Letterman's life.

Whether Halderman's conduct amounted to commerce or crime "is a classic example of an issue that is best left for a trial jury to decide", justice Solomon said.

The 52-year-old, a producer for CBS's 48 Hours Mystery, could face up to 15 years in prison if convicted. A trial date could be set at his next court appearance on March 9.

Defence lawyer Gerald Shargel said that he is "perfectly willing to put it in front of a trial jury". A Letterman attorney has stated that the comedian would be willing to testify.