A jury trial for the alleged murderer of trans woman Diamond Williams has been postponed until December.
Charles N. Sargent stands accused of stabbing Williams to death with a screwdriver, then dismembering her with an ax, depositing her body parts in a vacant lot in Strawberry Mansion in July 2013.
Sargent told police he acted in self-defense after Williams became violent during a sexual encounter. Advocates for Williams dispute that claim.
Sargent’s trial was scheduled to begin Feb. 27, but his standby attorney, J. Michael Farrell, recently was convicted of multiple felonies in an unrelated case.
Last week, Common Pleas Judge Diana L. Anhalt postponed Sargent’s trial until December. Sargent intends to represent himself during his murder trial.
But Anhalt appointed attorney Benjamin Cooper to replace Farrell as Sargent’s standby attorney to assist.
According to court records, jury selection is set for 10 a.m. Dec. 11 in Courtroom 807 of the Criminal Justice Center, 1301 Filbert St.
On Feb. 2, Farrell was convicted of 10 felonies for his participation in a drug-trafficking ring that operated in Maryland, known as the “Nicka Organization.”
Prosecutors say Farrell crossed the line between representing defendants in the drug ring and joining them in unlawful activities.
Farrell didn’t testify during his 14-day trial, but tape recordings were played to jurors that incriminated him. He was convicted of conspiracy, money laundering, tampering with a witness and tampering with an official proceeding.
Farrell, 64, faces up to 200 years in federal prison when sentenced May 15. He remains free but cannot travel outside the continental United States.
Last week, U.S. District Judge Roger W. Titus set a March 2 deadline for Farrell to file a motion for acquittal or a motion for a new trial.
Meanwhile, Sargent, 47, remains incarcerated at the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility in Northeast Philadelphia.