[JURIST] US District Judge Reggie B. Walton on Friday denied the latest request by I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby [defense profile] to access classified information to prepare his defense on obstruction of justice and perjury charges [JURIST report] in connection to the leak of former CIA operative Valerie Plame's identity [JURIST news archive]. Walton has granted [JURIST report] Libby's defense team access to other classified documents, but in a ruling Friday said the "documents and information at issue are extremely sensitive and their disclosure could cause serious if not grave damage to the national security of the United States." Walton also said that the documents requested would not aid in the preparation of Libby's defense.

Libby has pleaded not guilty [JURIST report] to the charges [indictment, PDF]. Libby has requested a one-month delay [JURIST report] in the trial, and if granted, the trial will begin mid-February. AP has more.