Mike Peterson Trial To Start In May

DURHAM, N.C. — The Mike Peterson trial will go on as scheduled, despite an effort to delay the trial by the district attorney.

Durham District Attorney Jim Hardin asked a judge Monday to push back Peterson's trial until September. Hardin argued that he may be called into military duty and the other attorneys will need to be brought up to speed on the case.

Hardin also argued that he is waiting on the Henry Lee Hunt murder case because that ruling may affect other murder cases. Hardin also expressed concern that it will be hard to seat a jury for six to eight weeks in the summer.

The judge ruled Hardin's reasons were not good enough. David Rudolf, Peterson's attorney, said he was pleased with the judge's ruling.

"We are very happy that the trial is going to go forward as scheduled. It was important to my client that we get to court as soon as possible. This has hung over his head for a long time," he said.

Peterson will go on trial for killing his wife, Kathleen, on May 5.