Trial in 2006 Murder Delayed Indefinitely

Tiffany Bassett is charged with first-degree premeditated murder in the death of Donald "Keith" West in 2006.

Posted 9:04 p.m. Apr 11, 2008 — Updated 3:21 a.m. Apr 12, 2008

SMITHFIELD, N.C. — The trial of a woman accused of killing her live-in boyfriend in Johnston County has been delayed indefinitely.

Tiffany Bassett is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Donald "Keith" West in 2006. West was found shot to death in his bedroom.

West worked as a Smithfield police officer for several years. He left the department in 2001 to start a private police security operation, West-Tek Inc. He also owned a public safety supply store. His company branched out across the country and currently employees about 200 people.

Bassett and West's home was under foreclosure and was scheduled to be sold on the day that deputies got the call about West's murder.

The case was to be tried in Cumberland County because of the publicity surrounding the crime, but Thursday the judge ordered the state to find a new judge and a new court.

The judge gave no specifics except that activities in another arena impaired the case.

The prosecution has come under fire for turning over documents to the defense very late in the case.

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