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(Miami, FL) - A Miami judge still trying to set a trial date in a 2011 murder case.
Jorge Barahona, 59, has yet to stand trial for the murder of his 10-year-old adopted daughter, Nubia Barahona.
Stephan Lopez is the fourth in a long line of appointed defense attorneys who are death-penalty qualified.
He is trying to juggle a very busy caseload while trying to get up to speed on the Barahona death penalty case.
The judge called everyone back Wednesday to nail down dates for depositions with Nubia's twin, Victor, who is the alleged surviving victim, Barahona's wife and mother.
Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Andrea Wolfson suggesting October or November for the two-week capital murder trial. Defense attorney Stephan Lopez said he could try the case in two weeks if the state took the death penalty off the table. Prosecutor Laura Adams said, the only way that would happen is if "Mr. Barahona accepts a plea."
Barahona is charged with first-degree murder, first-degree attempted murder and multiple counts of aggravated child neglect.
FHP found the decomposing body of Nubia in the back of Barahona's pesticide truck parked off I-95 on Valentine's Day 2011 in Palm Beach County.
They found Victor alive but suffering from seizures in the front seat. He survived severe chemical burns and is set to testify against Barahona when the case eventually goes to trial.