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ST. GEORGE — The Oct. 23 murder trial for a St. George man accused of killing his wife during an Alaskan cruise in July will be delayed as a result of a motion filed Friday in federal court.
The defense counsel for Kenneth Manzanares filed an unopposed motion to declare the case complex and unusual, which will allow the trial to be scheduled outside the 70-day requirement pursuant to the Speedy Trial Act.
“The ends of justice served by granting this motion outweigh the best interest of the public and the defendant in a speedy trial,” Friday’s motion stated.
The motion was agreed upon by Assistant United States Attorney Jack Schmidt.
In the filing, federal defender Rich Curtner cites several reasons the case should be declared complex.
“Mr. Manzanares is charged with Murder 1, and the government has yet to determine whether it will seek the death penalty,” Curtner wrote, adding:
"At this time, the only discovery provided consists of one video recorded interview. According to the government, approximately 200 recorded interviews were conducted, and the U.S. Coast Guard has prepared over 100 written reports."
Curtner further notes that witnesses live all over the continental United States, and that the federal investigation is ongoing.
