Merck & Co.'s request to delay the second trial over the painkiller Vioxx was rejected by a New Jersey judge, who said publicity from a Texas verdict won’t prevent a fair hearing for the drugmaker.Superior Court Judge Carol Higbee on Monday turned down a motion to postpone by 45 days the trial set to begin Sept. 12. On Aug. 19, jurors in Texas ordered Merck pay $253 million to the family of Robert Ernst, who died in 2001 at age 59 after taking Vioxx for eight months.
