A Baltimore Circuit Court judge denied yesterday a defense request to postpone the murder trial of two men accused of slashing the throats of three young relatives - meaning that the trial is likely to begin Wednesday.
Policarpio Espinoza, 23, and his nephew, Adan Canela, 18, are each charged with three counts of first-degree murder. They are accused of killing three children in May last year in a Northwest Baltimore apartment, leaving one decapitated and the other two nearly decapitated.
In a hearing yesterday before Circuit Judge Lynn K. Stewart, defense lawyers requested that the trial be postponed because they needed more time to review the state's evidence. Stewart denied the motion.
Circuit Judge Thomas Ward, who retired in February 1997 but still hears cases, will preside over the trial.
- Julie Bykowicz
Policarpio Espinoza, 23, and his nephew, Adan Canela, 18, are each charged with three counts of first-degree murder. They are accused of killing three children in May last year in a Northwest Baltimore apartment, leaving one decapitated and the other two nearly decapitated.
In a hearing yesterday before Circuit Judge Lynn K. Stewart, defense lawyers requested that the trial be postponed because they needed more time to review the state's evidence. Stewart denied the motion.
Circuit Judge Thomas Ward, who retired in February 1997 but still hears cases, will preside over the trial.
- Julie Bykowicz
