WLBT 3 - Jackson, MS: Carla Hughes' Murder Trial Delayed until Summer

Carla Hughes' Murder Trial Delayed until Summer

The trial of the former teacher accused of murdering a pregnant Ridgeland woman won't start until this summer.

Carla Hughes was scheduled to go to trial Tuesday for the November 2006 death of Avis Banks. Prosecutors talked with defense attorneys during a pre-trial hearing Monday morning, agreeing to delay the trial until June 17.

Banks was five months pregnant when she was shot and stabbed in her own carport in Ridgeland.

Prosecutors say they will use the extra time to better prepare their case.

"Any time you seek the death penalty, that case is going to be subject to heightened scrutiny by the appeals court," said Michael Guest, the new district attorney for Madison and Rankin counties. "We want to make sure that we have the case ready for trial when the case is tried (and that) it is tried in a manner that will withhold that scrutiny,"

Banks' fiancee, Keyon Pittman, admitted to having a romantic relationship with Hughes, who was his co-worker. Hughes is charged with two counts of capital murder.