The hearing for alleged gunman Desmonte Leonard proceeded Tuesday, Oct. 15, at 2 p.m. in the courtroom of Lee County Circuit Court Judge Jacob A. Walker III.
Walker set the trial date for April 14, 2014, with a status hearing Jan. 29 at 1:30 p.m.
Leonard is accused of killing DeMario Pitts and former Auburn football players Ladarious Phillips and Ed Christian and shooting then-Aubrn football player Eric Mack, former football players Xavier Moss and John Q. Robertson at a party at the apartment complex, formerly known as University Heights, on Longleaf Drive in June 2012.
Kisha Abercrombie, deputy chief assistant district attorney, represented the State and Jeffery Duffey represented Leonard.
Neither side had any pending motions or requests.
Abercrombie said her only concern was about evidence that could potentially present a delay, but she wouldn't know until closer to spring.
Duffey said April 14 would be enough time for the defense to be prepared for trial.
"We are still in the investigative stage," Duffey said. "There are still things we need to do. It's just a matter of time."
Duffey and his team said they think the case will take 2-3 weeks due to the number of witnesses the defense needs to bring back to Auburn. Many of the witnesses no longer reside in town.
Duffey also said Leonard is ready for trial.
He will face one capital murder charge in April, but has plead not-guilty.
Leonard is being held in Montgomery County Detention Facility and has been there for the last 16 months.
Leonard turned himself in to police in Montogmery, June 12, 2012.
Updated Oct. 16, 6:40 p.m.
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