URBANA, Ill. – A judge Monday delayed the burglary trial for a former University of Illinois football player after the man’s attorney said a newspaper story mentioned key evidence he’d never seen.

The Washington Post on Sunday cited an anonymous source who said the primary evidence against Derrick McPhearson is a videotape of him and fellow defendant and former teammate Jody Ellis leaving a fraternity house with computer equipment. McPhearson, 21, is from Hyattsville, Md., near Washington, D.C.

Attorney Robert Kirchner of Champaign said that either the source was wrong or that he’d been denied access to evidence in the case.

“We’re gonna find out about this statement in that story,” Kirchner said.

Champaign County State’s Attorney Julia Rietz said the tape doesn’t exist.

“I don’t know who (the source) is and I don’t what they’re talking about,” Rietz said.

Champaign County Circuit Judge Tom Difanis continued the trial until Oct. 22.

McPhearson and fellow wide receiver Ellis, 21, were arrested March 2 after a minor traffic accident. Champaign police said they found stolen laptop computers, digital music players and wallets in Ellis’ car.

Each man has pleaded not guilty to four counts of burglary and two counts of theft. Both were kicked off the football team.

Ellis, who is from Evanston, is also awaiting trial. He initially pleaded guilty to a single burglary count and was expected to be sentenced to boot camp. He later withdrew the plea, after McPhearson declined the same deal, Ellis’ attorney, Ed Piraino, has said.