Lawyers for suspected serial killer get another six months to prepare case

Indiana serial killer suspect Darren Vann

CROWN POINT, Ind. (AP) -- A judge has pushed back to October 2018 the first trial of a Gary, Indiana, man accused of killing seven women.

The defense team for 46-year-old Darren Vann asked for more time to prepare for his trial on murder charges in the deaths of 19-year-old Afrikka Hardy and 35-year-old Anith Jones in October 2014. That trial had been scheduled to begin next March.

Lake Superior Court Judge Samuel Cappas said Friday that jury selection is now scheduled to begin Sept. 17, 2018, with the trial beginning Oct. 22, 2018.

Cappas also denied two defense motions requesting he limit his role during jury selection.

Vann faces the possibility of the death penalty, if convicted.

Trial dates for the other five cases haven't been scheduled.