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Last updated on Tuesday, May 10, 2016
(NASHVILLE) - Daniel Messel’s lawyer wants her client’s murder trial delayed, but the prosecutor wants the case to begin on schedule June 1.
Brown County Prosecutor Ted Adams says the Defense Attorney Dorie Mayan has received one delay and another would cause emotional and psychological impact on Hannah Wilson's family.
"Closure, in this matter, is needed by the victim's family," Adams wrote in his objections. "Ms. (Hannah) Wilson's family has already made significant plans and sacrifices" to be present for the trial, which could last three weeks.
He also noted that his office has sent "scores of subpoenas" calling witnesses to appear in June, and that he is prepared for trial.
Messel is charged in the death of 22-year-old Indiana University Student Hannah Wilson.
Messel, a print shop worker from Bloomington, was arrested after police found his cell phone near Wilson's body was found a day after she was reported missing on April 24 in a vacant lot at State Road 45 and Plum Creek Road in Brown County.
An autopsy determined that Wilson had died from blunt force injuries to the back of her head.
Maryan's motion says she needs more time to take a deposition on a blood splatter expert the prosecution plans to call and to review 250 pages of cellphone detection records.
And she says a new "potential witness" came forward on April 27 and that the defense needs time to pursue that lead. "It is unknown how relevant this information is as it was just received," the motion states. "And to be fair, defense counsel has previously received information from witnesses who claim to have knowledge of these alleged crimes ... counsel would attest that this information is particularly important and may require significant investigation."
Brown Circuit Judge Judith Stewart has taken the request to postpone the trial under advisement and says she will meet with the lawyers in the case on May 11.
Judge Stewart is also considering Maryan's request for a change of venue from Brown County, citing extensive publicity.
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