TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – Tallahassee Circuit Judge Lance Neff will continue to preside over the murder trial of the accused Florida State University shooter, according to Chief Justice Carlos G. Muñiz of the Florida Supreme Court.
Last month, Governor Ron DeSantis announced that Judge Neff would be appointed to the First District Court of Appeal, which necessitates assigning a new judge to the case of suspected FSU gunman Phoenix Ikner.
However, the order dated April 7 revealed that the Tallahassee circuit judge will continue to oversee Ikner’s murder trial.
The news comes after Chief Judge Francis Allman of Florida’s Second Judicial Circuit requested Chief Justice Muñiz in a letter dated March 24 to temporarily assign Judge Neff to preside over the case.
Multiple killed, injured after shooting at Florida State University
“Judge Neff has expressed his willingness to remain on the case through its conclusion. Reassignment at this stage may result in unnecessary delays or cause potential disruption to any proceedings currently scheduled,” Allman wrote. “Allowing Judge Neff to continue presiding will ensure consistency in rulings, minimize the burden on judicial resources and support the timely administration of justice in his high-profile matter.”
Ikner’s trial is slated for October 19 and is expected to last three weeks.
He’s accused of opening fire on FSU’s campus last April, killing two people and injuring several others.
The state is seeking the death penalty against him.
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