The trial of a retired Springfield police officer charged with stealing nearly $400,000 from the department's evidence room has been postponed.
Kevin Burnham's trial was scheduled to start Tuesday but was postponed until March 20 at the defense's request.
Prosecutors did not object.
Burnham, a decorated and highly-respected officer who retired in 2014 after 43 years with the department, was released on personal recognizance after pleading not guilty earlier this year to multiple larceny counts.
Prosecutors say he stole cash from envelopes in drug cases on multiple occasions from 2009 until his retirement, and in some cases replaced the stolen money with counterfeit bills.
Springfield's police commissioner and mayor have expressed shock at the allegations against someone everyone considered an exemplary officer.
Burnham's lawyer has not commented on the charges.
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