FILE - This photo provided by the Macon County Sheriff's Office in Decatur, Ill., shows Brendt Christensen. Defense attorneys for Christensen, accused of kidnapping and killing a University of Illinois scholar from China, say they could be ready for a trial to begin July 1. A judge already denied a request from Christensen's attorneys to delay proceedings until Oct. 1, but said he would be open to a reasonable proposal. (Macon County Sheriff's Office via AP, File)
PEORIA, Ill. – Attorneys for a man accused of kidnapping and killing a University of Illinois scholar from China say they could be ready for a trial to begin July 1.
A judge already denied a request from Brendt Christensen's attorneys to delay proceedings until October, but said he would be open to a reasonable proposal. The trial was originally scheduled for September 2017.
Prosecutors are trying to prove Christensen kidnapped and killed 26-year-old Yingying Zhang in 2017.
Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.
Christensen's attorneys said they needed more time to find a psychiatrist. The (Champaign) News-Gazette reports that defense attorneys say they've found a new psychiatrist who could be prepared by July 1.
Prosecutors have until Friday to respond. A Monday hearing is scheduled to discuss the trial date.
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Information from: The News-Gazette, http://www.news-gazette.com
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