Dedmon Trial Delayed

The trial for a Rankin County teen charged with running over a man and killing him is being delayed.  Nineteen-year-old Deryl Dedmon's was scheduled to go to trial in Hinds County next month.  A new trial date has not been announced..

Dedmon was indicted in September on capital murder charges for the hit-and-run death of a Jackson man.  Police say he also robbed the victim.  Dedmon remains behind bars tonight at the Hinds County jail with out bond.

Dedmon is accused of intentionally running over and killing 49-year-old James Anderson.  Investigators say Dedmon and his friends drove from Rankin County to Hinds County with the intention of harassing blacks.  Police say Dedmon and his friends beat up Anderson, but he was run over and killed.  Prosecutors say it was racially-motivated and they're pursuing hate crime charges.

The owner of the Metro Inn Motel says surveillance video shows that Anderson was actually killed on the street, off the sidewalk, not in the parking lot as investigators have claimed.

"The trial will probably be a few months from January," explains the Hinds County District Attorney.

Robert Shuler Smith says it's not uncommon for a high profile trial to be delayed.

"There’s a lengthy discovery process that's taking place between the prosecution and defendants.  So, that will take some time," explains Smith.

Smith says he couldn't go into detail about the trial, but both sides agreed to the delay.

"Each case is different.  It depends on how many witnesses, how much evidence, the documents maybe voluminous, so there are several things to consider," continues Smith.

Smith is seeking life in prison for Dedmon.

"There’s been a request made by the family on numerous occasions that we not seek the death penalty.  So, that is something we'd like to honor," adds Smith.

Smith says he has notified Anderson's family about pushing the trial date back.

Dedmon's accused accomplice is 18-year-old John Rice of Brandon.  Rice is charged with simple assault in the case.  He is accused of taking part in the beating that Anderson suffered prior to his death.  Rice is out on bond.