Excerpt:
Citing religious views, an accused bank robber known as "The Man in Black" asked a federal judge this week to postpone hearings until the end of Ramadan, a monthlong Muslim observance.
Mark Edward Wetsch was charged with holding up 13 Minnesota banks between March 2011 and January 2012. The robber earned his moniker by wearing all black during the heists, in which he made off with about $69,000.
Wetsch was scheduled to have a motion hearing Friday, July 20, in U.S. District Court in St. Paul but asked the judge to continue the hearing so he could observe the holy month of Ramadan, a period of daylight fasting, prayer and reflection. Ramadan began Friday and lasts 30 days.