Defense receives delay in Spicer case

The deadline on a motion to move the trial of a Maryland man charged in the murder of a Georgetown patrolman has been delayed until March 12.

Derrick Powell, 22, of Cumberland, Md., is accused in the Sept. 1 shooting death of Georgetown Patrolman Chad Spicer.

Judge T. Henley Graves had originally asked Powell’s attorneys, Stephanie Tsantes and Dean Johnson, to file a motion requesting a change of venue by Thursday, Feb. 11.

In a motion Tuesday, Feb. 9, Powell’s defenders wrote that the defense has strategic works in progress that made a Feb. 11 deadline impossible. Court records show in a closed hearing Friday, Feb. 12, Graves extended the deadline for filing a motion for a change of venue until Friday, March 12. The motion is slated for discussion at a Thursday, March 18, office conference.

Department of Justice spokeswoman Kerry Angell said details on the closed hearing were unavailable, as Graves ordered the record sealed.

Powell is accused of firing a single bullet that stuck and killed Spicer Sept. 1, 2009. He is currently being held without bail at James T. Vaughn Correctional Center in Smyrna. Powell’s trial is set Monday, Oct. 11, in Sussex County Superior Court, but a change of venue could move his trial to Kent County or New Castle County.