TAMPA - Attorneys for a 29-year-old dance teacher charged with hit-and-run in a case involving four children asked for a judge's help Wednesday in securing transcripts from a stenographer they say is moving too slowly.

Jennifer Porter's case involves as many as 158 witnesses. Defense attorneys deposed 28 of them in October and November but have not seen the written transcripts, attorney Lyann Goudie told the judge. The court reporter, Candace Salminen, has ignored phone calls, e-mail and letters, Goudie said. Now her business phone is disconnected.

`It's unacceptable,` Goudie told Judge Anthony Black. `We need them if we're going to continue preparing for trial.`

Black said Salminen has until March 29 to produce the transcripts. If she doesn't, she must explain in court.

Salminen could not be reached for comment.

Porter's attorneys hired Salminen but have changed companies.

In March 2004, Bryant Wilkins, 13, his brother Durontae Caldwell, 3, and their two siblings were struck as they crossed North 22nd Street after watching a basketball game at University Community Park. Bryant and Durontae died. Porter, a Muller Elementary dance teacher who owns a private dance school, stepped forward days later. In April, she was charged with leaving the scene of an accident involving death. The school board has suspended Porter without pay.

Porter's trial had been scheduled for October 2004. It was moved to April 4, then in January, the trial date moved to Oct. 31.

Reporter Thomas W. Krause can be reached at (813) 259-7698.