SYRACUSE - A state Court of Claims judge briefly postponed the trial that would determine how much money the state will owe to Roy Brown.

According to attorneys representing Brown and the state, both parties requested one more day to sort out negotiations on a possible settlement. If a settlement is not reached by 9:30 a.m. this morning, the matter will go to trial, Judge Nicholas V. Midey Jr. said Monday.

The “wrinkle” in the negotiations, as Brown's attorney Katy Karlovitz called it after the brief hearing, came to light the night before the court date. But Karlovitz said they are still close to a settlement.

Brown indicated through comments made during and after the hearing that he did not know the reason for the adjournment.

Brown filed a $5 million claim against the state of New York shortly after his 2007 release from prison, where he wrongfully served 15 years for the murder of Cayuga County social worker Sabina Kulakowski.

Brown's conviction was vacated and the indictment against him was dismissed in 2007 when new DNA evidence pointed to another man, Barry Bench, as the prime suspect.

Bench had committed suicide in 2003.

Midey recently determined that Brown should receive damages from the state for his prison term.

If the trial goes on as scheduled today, Brown would be the only witness.