Southeast High Stabbing Case Could Begin in February

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Abraham López, 18, who is accused of fatally stabbing Cindi Santana, 17, his alleged ex girlfriend, within the grounds of South East High School in September 2011, will have another pretrial hearing on January 14, 2013.

“Around that time we will be talking about when [the trial] will commence,” said Scott Herin, the deputy public defender representing López, after the November 29, 2012, pre-trial hearing at the Norwalk Conty Courthouse.

López who pleaded not guilty last May, is facing charges of murder, several counts of assaults with a knife, for bringing weapons to school grounds.

The defense and prosecution previously told Patch that they expected to have a trial date by January. However,  after gathering the evidence they are still processing it.

“It always takes time to get ready for trial and plan what were going to do,” said John Pomeroy, the prosecutor for the case, in a telephone interview with Patch. “In a case like this, with so many witnesses, it always takes a few months to pull ourselves together.”

Judge Lori Ann Fournier set a trial date for 15 days after the pre-trial hearing. Both sides have told Patch that they believe that the trial will not start until at least February.

“I am optimistic that the trial will happen in February,” concluded Pomeroy. 

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