Leon County Circuit Judge James Hankinson set a Nov. 14th trial date Monday for first-degree murder suspect Sigfredo Garcia.
The Miami man faces the death penalty in the alleged murder-for-hire plot to kill former Florida State University Law Professor Dan Markel.
Garcia’s attorney has indicated he will not waive his right to a speedy trial, as is typical in such cases. Lead prosecutor Georgia Cappleman says the state will be ready to go, regardless.
“Lots of work is involved in gearing up for a trial of this magnitude, so we’ll be working steady right up until the trial date and through the trial," Cappleman said.
Hankinson also granted Garcia’s request to change attorneys. Garcia has been represented by Jim Lewis of Fort Lauderdale. His new private attorney is Saam Zengeneh, of Miami.
