The trial of the South Florida teen accused of nearly beating another teen to death is scheduled to start in the beginning of May, the South Florida Sun Sentinel reported.
Wayne Treacy, who prosecutors say stomped on the head of Josie Lou Ratley with steel-toed boots in 2010, attended one of his last pretrial hearings in a Broward court on Thursday.
Treacy, now 17, faces an attempted murder charge for allegedly leaving Ratley with severe brain damage.
Treacy’s lawyer, Russell Williams, wants to question Ratley and a prosecution psychologist, the newspaper reported.
Jury selection for the case is expected to begin April 30. Broward Judge David Haimes said that it may be difficult to find jurors who haven’t heard of the case, according to the newspaper.
Defense lawyers said Treacy became angry when Ratley sent him a text that suggested he should visit his dead brother, who committed suicide five months beforehand.
Kayla Manson, now 15, whom prosecutors say knew that Treacy was going to try and kill Ratley, will be tried in juvenile court as Treacy’s codefendant.
Treacy, who is being tried as an adult, could face up to 50 years if convicted.
