Trial delayed for man accused of killing former Enterprise High student-athlete

Corrections & Clarifications: This story has been updated with the name of the attorney who is representing Steven Schlapia. The newspaper had a different name due to information the newspaper had received.

The start of a trial for a 59-year-old man charged with the 2022 murder of former Enterprise High School student-athlete Jimmy Schwerdt has been delayed.

Scheduled to start Tuesday, the trial for Steven Ronald Schlapia, 59, will now be scheduled for a date to be determined after his new attorney asked the judge for more time to prepare, Shasta County District Attorney spokeswoman Briona Haney said.

Michael Borges is Schlapia's new attorney.

Senior Deputy District Attorney Kelly Kafel is prosecuting the case.

A hearing is scheduled for June 16 at which time a new trial date is expected to be selected, Haney said.

Schlapia is charged with first-degree murder, torture, assault with a semi-automatic rifle and other related charges.

Schwerdt, 47, was found dead in the driveway of a home in the 3000 block of Fernie Way northeast of Redding on March 16, 2022.

In March of this year, Shasta County Superior Court Judge Adam Ryan determined that Schlapia is mentally competent to stand trial.

Ryan said that Schlapia was competent for trial after reviewing doctor evaluations during a court appearance.

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The Enterprise High School community mourned the loss of Schwerdt, whose family is deeply ingrained in the Hornets culture.

Schwerdt played multiple sports at Enterprise and graduated in 1993.

Schwerdt’s parents, Jim and Nancy, attended and graduated from Enterprise in the 1960s.

The basketball court at Manatowa Gymnasium is named after Jim and Nancy Schwerdt.

David Benda covers business, development and anything else that comes up for the USA TODAY Network in Redding. He also writes the weekly "Buzz on the Street" column. He’s part of a team of dedicated reporters that investigate wrongdoing, cover breaking news and tell other stories about your community. Reach him on Twitter @DavidBenda_RS or by phone at 1-530-338-8323. To support and sustain this work, please subscribe today.