EVERETT — The trial for a Marysville man accused of killing 15-year-old Molly Conley last year is now set to begin in early March.
Lawyers met Tuesday for a brief hearing in front of Snohomish County Superior Court Judge Thomas Wynne and settled on March 9 for a new trial date.
Jury selection was planned to begin this week but on Friday Wynne agreed to a delay after he was told that prosecutors needed more time to prepare for new testimony from a defense witness.
Snohomish County deputy prosecutors Ed Stemler and Edirin Okoloko learned that a defense expert already expected to testify will now speak about how bright lights can affect the perceptions of witnesses.
Molly, of Seattle, was shot in the neck on June 1, 2013, as she and some friends walked along a rural Lake Stevens road. Two of her friends reported seeing gunfire come from a passing vehicle.
Erick Walker, 28, is charged with first-degree murder. He also faces multiple assault and drive-by shooting charges.
Prosecutors allege that Walker went on a shooting spree, firing into at least five occupied homes after Molly was felled by a single bullet. Walker reportedly has admitted to being in Lake Stevens around the time of the girl’s death.
He has denied killing the high school freshman and taking part in any shootings. His attorneys have argued that there is nothing to tie Walker to the deadly gunfire.
Detectives didn’t recover the bullet that killed Molly.
Bullets found at the drive-by shooting scenes, however, matched two handguns seized from Walker’s home, court documents said.
The trial is expected to last up to three weeks.
Diana Hefley: 425-339-3463, hefley@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @dianahefley
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