PITTSBURGH - An attorney for the estate of the late U.S. Sen. H. John Heinz III argued that too much time has passed for news organizations to try to unseal records that were sealed the day after his death in 1991.

Heinz - the husband of Teresa Heinz Kerry, who is now married to Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry - died in a plane crash near Philadelphia. His estate calls a petition by newspapers a belated effort to "rummage through" the estate, which was finalized in 1998.

At a hearing Thursday, estate attorney Gregory B. Jordan argued that the case should be dismissed, saying too much time had passed to challenge the seal and also arguing that Allegheny County Judge Frank Lucchino didn't have jurisdiction over another judge's order.

Kelli L. Sager, an attorney representing The Los Angeles Times, called the preliminary objection a delay tactic to stall the case until after the Nov. 2 presidential election. While sealing court records was unusual, "to seal court records permanently is extraordinary," she said.

Lucchino didn't indicate when he would rule, but said he was aware of the looming election.

"I didn't set this schedule," he said. "I'll do what I can to accommodate everyone according to the rules I have to follow."

Jordan argued that the legal principle of finality governed the order sealing the estate.