(Graphic by The Desk)A team of defense attorneys representing a former journalist accused of stealing and leaking materials from Fox News Media have asked for a government’s appeal over some tossed criminal charges to be dismissed after prosecutors delayed a critical filing in their ongoing court case. Burke later leaked the clips to two news outlets — Vice News and Media Matters for America — selling the stolen clips to one of the organizations. Lawyers representing Burke do not deny his actions, but said they were examples of good digital journalism. Federal prosecutors contend Burke broke various computer hacking and criminal conspiracy laws. But an appeal requires a separate sign-off from federal officials, which prosecutors in the Florida district where the case is brought have yet to obtain.