A federal judge has postponed real estate heir Robert Durst's trial until next year.

U.S. District Judge Helen Berrigan rescheduled the trial Wednesday from Sept. 21 to Jan. 11.

Defense attorneys asked in July for a later date, saying they'll need more time to prepare after the judge rules on pending motions.

Those include one seeking to dismiss as evidence everything taken from Durst's hotel room -- including the .38-caliber revolver he's accused of possessing illegally after a felony conviction.

That motion is scheduled for argument Sept. 16.

Durst's lawyers contend, among other things, that the FBI and state police searched the room illegally, before they got a warrant.

Durst has waived extradition to California, where he's accused of murder. The weapons charge has kept the 72-year-old millionaire in Louisiana.