The first-degree murder trial for John Quade, Jr, scheduled to begin next week, has been postponed until May. Quade, 31, of Lexington Park has been indicted in connection with the death of Moneta Jo Strickland on August 8th of last year on the Three Notch Trail in Mechanicsville.
Judge Michael Stamm agreed to the delay to give the defense time to receive and review test results on evidence being processed by the State Police Crime Lab. Those results had not yet been received before the hearing on Monday for the postponement.
The motion for the postponement was made by Quade’s attorney, Public Defender Gerald Riviello. In order for the postponement to be accepted, Quade had to verbally agree to waive the state’s speedy trial rule, which requires trial within 180 days. Quade, now sporting a jailhouse beard, agreed to the waiver.
State’s Attorney Richard Fritz said he wasn’t too happy with the delay but recognized the defense’s right to have enough time to review evidence in the state’s case.
By mutual agreement the trial is now set to begin on May 6th and is scheduled for four days. It will be held in St.; Mary’s County because Judge David Densford denied a defense request for change of venue.
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