DETROIT (AP)  Three lawyers are refusing to testify at next week’s proceedings by Michigan’s governor that could lead to the ouster of Detroit’s mayor, Kwame M. Kilpatrick.

Mr. Kilpatrick’s lawyer, Sharon McPhail, said the refusals could harm the mayor’s ability to defend himself.

She urged Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm to delay the proceedings, press the witnesses to testify or seek subpoena power to compel them to do so.

“The inability to compel the attendance of the witnesses is a serious if not fatal blow to the defense in the removal proceedings,” Ms. McPhail said in a letter to the governor’s legal adviser, Kelly Keenan.