A new court date has been set and a change of venue requested for Josue Martinez, the Tamaqua man charged in the Missouri killing.

An employee of the Prosecuting Attorney Brendon Fox, who was speaking on behalf of Fox, said it is scheduled for 10 a.m. July 14 in front of Judge John Beger in the Phelps County Courthouse, Rolla, Missouri. The prosecuting attorney is equivalent to a district attorney.

At that time, a trial date and change of venue could be acted on.

A June 21 plea/trial setting had been scheduled but defense attorney Michael Younker is leaving, the employee said. Martinez entered a not guilty plea June 9 by waiving his arraignment.

Kimberly Riston, 29, of Banning, California, his girlfriend, waived her formal arraignment June 1 where she pleaded not guilty. A plea/trial setting and possible bond reduction was scheduled for 9 a.m. Monday in front of Judge William Hickle in the courthouse. Fox requested a new judge for the hearing. Court records show a new judge was granted. Riston has a trial setting scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday in front of Judge John Beger. A motion for change of venue is also pending.

Both remain in the Phelps County Jail.

They are charged with first-degree murder, armed criminal action, robbery and tampering with a motor vehicle.

A probable cause statement filed by a detective with the Phelps County Sheriff’s Department details what police say took place April 21 when Martinez stabbed Donald Wethy, 36, of St. James Missouri, and left his body in the parking lot of the Economy Inn, 102 N. Outer Road, St. James.