10242011 - News Article - Delay granted in next week's murder trial of Cashner

Delay granted in next week's murder trial of Cashner
NWI Times
October 24, 2011 - 11:45 am 
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/porter/portage/delay-granted-in-next-week-s-murder-trial-of-cashner/article_4c3baf7a-94c1-58b5-b136-c9174788ce52.html

Fredrick Cashner. Photo provided by the Porter County sheriff's department.

VALPARAISO - A delay has been granted in next week's trial of Fredrick Cashner Jr., who is accused of killing his estranged wife April 24 by firing at least eight bullets into her body with a high-powered semiautomatic rifle.

The continuance was requested by defense attorney Paul Stracci, who said he will not be available next week.

Stracci also said more time is needed because the defense still is collecting evidence from prosecutors.

Porter Superior Judge Roger Bradford set a status hearing for 9 a.m. Nov. 21 and said sharing of evidence should be completed by that date.
A new trial date will be set at that time.

Cashner, of 371 E. Tratebas Road in Jackson Township, has pleaded not guilty to the single charge of murder, which carries a potential sentence of 45 to 65 years in prison.

Cynthia Cashner, 50, was found dead on an air mattress after police received a 911 call about 10:25 p.m. from the Mystic Moon Herbal Shoppe, 5830 U.S. 6, Portage, which she owned.

Dispatchers reportedly heard faint breathing on the line and nothing else, though on second review, detectives later heard a male voice in the background say, "It's too late," followed by three or four gunshots, police said.