Murder Trial Not Likely Until 2004

The woman accused of abducting a Jasper County mother and shooting her in the presence of her 10-year-old son in Newton County nearly 18 months ago is not expected to come to trial this year.

The judge who conducted a hearing in the case of Barbara Elaine Dalton earlier this month was quoted in The Covington News as saying the trial probably will not be scheduled until next year.

Ms. Dalton is charged with kidnapping and murder in the death of Donna Sanders in May, 2002. The prosecutor is seeking the death penalty.

Superior Court Judge Horace J. Johnson, Jr., conducted the hearing on evidentiary matters. The case will be tried in Newton, where the crime occurred, but probably not this year, the judge said.