NEW ORLEANS — Despite an effort to push back the trial for the teens in Linda Frickey’s case, on Monday a judge decided that the trial will begin in one week.
Frickey was carjacked and dragged to her death last year.
The teen defendants did not make an appearance today, but the judge did decide on whether or not more evidence can be introduced.
Three defense attorneys and the state attorney asked the judge if the trial could be pushed back.
The state says they have DNA evidence relevant to at least two of the four suspects accused in this case.
However, the judge decided against that evidence being used and against moving the trial date because she says it was too late to make the change.
The defense attorneys say they have not had time to get the fingerprints tested and the state says they want that DNA evidence included at the trial.
The judge says attorneys could have had the DNA evidence rushed to test but instead they sat on it and waited too long, and says she believes it won’t make much of a difference because there’s still lots of evidence and witnesses.
The judge says even if the appellate court rules differently, Mar’qel Curtis’ trial will begin on Monday, April 3.
Attorneys say they will be seeking an appeal of the judge’s decision.
Frickey’s family says whether it’s three separate trials or one they’re prepared.
“We still feel strong the DNA as I said would be a building block to get in but no matter 1 2 3 trials we’re going to be at every trial and we’re going to make sure Linda gets justice and we get justice for the elderly,” Linda Frickey's sister, Jinny Lynn Griffin said.
One defense attorney also asked for witness impact testimony to be struck from the trial, but the judge says she will deal with that request when the trial begins.
She is very set on trial beginning next Monday as she points out they selected this trial date 10 months ago.
The judge also says they’ve cleared the entire docket for April, so next Monday at least one defendant’s trial will begin.