DETROIT -- A Detroit judge has postponed a ruling over whether to release to the public more text messages that have embarrassed Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and preceded criminal charges against him.

District Court Judge Ronald Giles said Friday he wants to hear arguments at a future court proceeding over which messages are covered by various privileges.

Kilpatrick and his former top aide, Christine Beatty, are charged with perjury, misconduct and obstruction of justice, all tied to their testimony in a civil trial last year.

They denied having a romantic relationship, but those claims are contradicted by text messages already released.

Kilpatrick and Beatty deny the charges.

Judge Wants To Hear Arguments At Future Court Proceedings Before Ruling On Text Messages