Judge Don Poole moves a motion hearing for Brendan Barnes, right, and Antonio Henry to next Monday, Nov. 7, because Barnes’ attorney was sick and could not attend. The two are charged with the October 2010 beating and stabbing death of Pastor David Strong.Two cousins charged in the beating and stabbing death of a local pastor last year will wait another week before learning when they will face a trial and whether they will be tried separately.
Antonio Henry, 26, and Brendan Barnes, 17, stood before Hamilton County Criminal Court Judge Don Poole on Monday morning for what would have been a hearing to set a trial date.
But Barnes’ attorney, Executive Assistant District Public Defender Karla Gothard, was ill and could not attend the hearing, Poole said.
Since Henry’s attorney, Dan Ripper, had filed a motion to sever the cases so that both men could have separate trials, Poole delayed the hearing so Gothard could be present for the arguments.
Poole told Ripper and Executive Assistant District Attorney Neal Pinkston that a likely trial date will be March 6, 2012. Both told Poole they could be ready for a trial by that date.