Defense attorney Boyd McPherson requested a preliminary hearing for Marion resident Ryan Newell to be postponed from Thursday to March 17.

Newell was charged Dec. 2 with conspiracy to commit aggravated battery and five misdemeanors — stalking, three counts of criminal use of weapons, and false impersonation. Newell reportedly stalked members of the Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka while they were in Mulvane for a protest.