MASON COUNTY — The trial of the man accused of shooting and killing a Gallipolis Ferry man in 2011 has been pushed from Dec. 11, 2012, to March 19, 2013 in Mason County Circuit Court.

Last week, Judge David W. Nibert granted a motion filed by counsel for Steven Lee Adkins, Jr., 26, Apple Grove, to delay his trial.

In the motion submitted by Elizabeth T. Sunyog, counsel for Adkins, she stated several reasons for the delay, or continuance, for Nibert to consider.

Sunyog wrote the State of West Virginia recently faxed over an additional witness list which added Matthew C. Woods, 25, Gallipolis Ferry, as a witness for the state. Sunyog wrote she needed more time to prepare for Woods whom she described as playing “an intricate role in the alleged conspiracy scheme.”

As previously reported, the motion also asked Nibert to consider the continuation based upon counsel being appointed on Sept. 26 — Nibert had previously granted Adkins’ request for new representation on that date. In addition, Sunyog wrote the case involves a “complex indictment” involving conspiracy and first degree murder charges. She also wrote the police report in the state’s discovery packet details 21 CD/DVD electronic media but when Adkins’ file was transferred from previous counsel, only six of these CD/DVD electronic media were included. Contained on this media are statements, photographs and other “critical” evidence, according to Sunyog.

Adkins, Woods and Chad W. McCallister, 31, Apple Grove, were all charged in the 2011 murder. McCallister’s trial begins next week on Dec. 11 in Mason County Circuit Court, one day before Woods is sentenced.

Earlier this year, Woods accepted a plea agreement and during his plea hearing, said he’d driven Adkins to Gonzalez’s Gallipolis Ferry home. Woods said Adkins exited the car and was out of sight when Woods heard two shots. Woods said Adkins then returned to the car and indicated he’d shot the victim.

The state is asking for a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison for Woods. He is to be sentenced at 1 p.m., Dec. 10, 2012, in Mason County Circuit Court for his plea to second degree murder.