NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — The murder trial for a decommissioned Metro Nashville police officer has now been moved to July 2021.
The trial for Andrew Delke was postponed again due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s now scheduled to begin on July 12, 2021, with jury selection set for July 6, 2021.
The trial was supposed to begin earlier this year, but prosecutors asked for more time to prepare a witness who is an expert in the use of force by police. Then, due to the pandemic, the trial was moved to February 2021 before being rescheduled again on Tuesday.
“Considering the increasing dangers of COVID-19, the Court believes a continuance of the February trial is necessary,” according to court documents.
Judge Monte Watkins signed off on the new date, along with Delke attorney David Raybin and Deputy District Attorney General Roger Moore.
Earlier this month, Raybin also filed a motion for a change of venue, requesting the court to move the trial outside of Davidson County. Raybin had previously asked for an outside jury to be brought in for the case.
“Considering recent events, the defense conducted a new public opinion survey to assess how prospective jurors’ attitudes toward this case have shifted, if at all, since the last survey was conducted in August of 2019 for the previous Change of Venue motion,” according to court documents filed on December 2.
Delke is accused of shooting and killing Daniel Hambrick in 2018. He's charged with first-degree murder in the case.
