Ex-State Rep. Farnham Could Change Plea In Child Porn Case

CHICAGO (AP) -- A former Illinois state representative is deciding whether to change his plea to guilty in a child pornography case.

A lawyer for Elgin Democrat Keith Farnham said Monday during a hearing in Chicago federal court that his client is negotiating a plea deal. If that falls through, attorney Terry Ekl says Farnham could still plead guilty without a deal or choose to still go to trial.

The 66-year-old Farnham pleaded not guilty earlier this year to possessing, receiving and transporting child pornography.

Judge Edmond Chang scheduled a change-of-plea hearing for Dec. 3. If Farnham decides by then to stick to his not-guilty plea, Chang will set a trial date.

Farnham appeared in court clutching an oxygen tank. His attorneys say he's suffering from bladder cancer, pulmonary fibrosis, and hepatitis.

(TM and © Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)