MediaNews has asked federal judge Susan Illston for a two-month delay of the trial over the consolidation of the Bay Area’s newspapers. San Francisco developer Clint Reilly (pictured) is suing, arguing that MediaNews Group’s purchase of the Mercury News and Contra Costa Times, and its planned sale of stock to Hearst Corp., will create an illegal monopoly that will eliminate competition, raise ad rates and cause layoffs. According to the Mercury News, MediaNews said in a court filing Friday (Oct. 6) that it needs the extra time because it is tied up answering “extensive requests for additional information” from the Department of Justice over Hearst’s involvement in MediaNews’ purchase of the newspapers. The DOJ has yet to approve the Hearst part of the deal. A request to move the trial date from Feb. 26 to April 30 was submitted to Judge Susan Illston. Reilly has agreed to the request.