A trial date has been set for Sergio Del Angel, the man accused in the 2017 murder of Kristofer Armstrong, after he rejected a plea offer in Christian Circuit Court Wednesday.
Del Angel appeared along with defense attorney David Rye to originally enter a guilty plea to his role in Armstrong’s death, but rejected the offer due to the number of years he would serve, according to Rye.
Rye informed that court that while it was his assertion that Del Angel should take the plea, it is ultimately Del Angel’s choose to either enter a guilty plea or not. Circuit Judge John Atkins set a trial date for May 18, saying the he refuses to draw this case out any longer than it has been.
Judge Atkins also set a deadline of May 6 for any potential accepting of plea deals, saying if they don’t happen by that time, then Del Angel will go to a jury trial.
Hopkinsville police allege Del Angel shot Armstrong on the front porch of his Kenwood Drive home and he’s charged with first-degree murder, first-degree wanton endangerment, tampering with physical evidence and possession of a handgun by a convicted felon.