TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) -- Despite no body, the trial against a Tallahassee man accused of murdering his girlfriend will move forward -- just later than initially scheduled.
A judge rescheduled the trial against Elijah James to begin March 25.
An attorney in the case asked for the delay because he is also defending Paul Howell, a man scheduled for execution February 26.
Assistant State Attorney Jack Campbell says he is seeking the death penalty against James. In Florida, capital offense cases must have two defense attorneys.
James is charged for the presumed murder of his girlfriend, Danielle Brown. In the past deputies have described the pair's relationship as "on-again-off-again."
Leon County Deputies say Brown was last seen the evening of Friday, February 5, 2010 leaving her home on the 7200 block of Springhill Road, leaving with James.
The following Monday, February 8, 2010, Brown's car was found at a city dump in Pavo, Georgia in Thomas County. Investigators there say Brown's car had intentionally been set on fire.
Despite an extensive search of more than 400 miles in 5 counties in Florida and Georgia, investigators failed to find Brown's body. But, they did find enough evidence they say to convince a grand jury to indict James in August of 2010 for the robbery and murder of Brown.
In February 2011 James was convicted by a Georgia jury for the arson of Brown's car. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison before being extradited to Leon County for the murder trial.
