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Defense lodges bias accusation against judge in Steelers' Adams stabbing trial

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Attorneys for three men charged in a stabbing and attempted carjacking of Pittsburgh Steelers lineman Mike Adams have accused a western Pennsylvania judge of bias and are seeking a mistrial.

Twenty-six-year-old Michael Paranay, 26-year-old Dquay Means and 27-year-old Jerrell Whitlock are on trial on charges ranging from conspiracy to attempted homicide.

Whitlock's attorney, William Difenderfer, on Monday accused Common Pleas Judge Anthony Mariani of constantly scrutinizing the defense team and exhibiting bias toward the government's case.
The dispute erupted during testimony from a defense witness who said she saw Adams arguing with three men in June 2013.
Prosecutors said Adams was stabbed during an attempted carjacking but the defense contends that a fight began after Adams knocked food out of Paranay's hands.
The offensive lineman was hospitalized for four days.