WESTON, W.Va. — Ahead of next week’s pre-trial motions hearing, Lena Lunsford-Conaway’s defense has filed a motion to delay the trial scheduled to begin in February.
“I would anticipate that this motion will be granted,” Attorney Tom Dyer said in a phone call with MetroNews. “Scheduling this is a logistical nightmare.”
If the motion is granted next Wednesday, Dyer said he anticipates that the trial will not begin until April. The trial is expected to last between two and three weeks, and Dyer said as many as 80 people could be called to testify.
Lunsford-Conaway is charged with numerous felony charges, including murder of a child by a parent, guardian, or custodian, or other person, by refusal or failure to provide necessities, in connection to the 2011 disappearance of her then three-year-old daughter Aliayah Lunsford. Her daughter was then the subject of a five-year search for answers before Lunsford-Conaway was charged in November 2016.
Investigators believe Lunsford-Conaway hit Aliayah with a blunt object during the morning hours of September 24, 2011. They then believe she failed to provide the necessary medical attention to Aliayah. Lunsford is presumed dead, but no remains have been recovered.
Lunsford-Conaway is also charged with one count of death of a child by parent, guardian, or custodian, or other person, by child abuse; one count of child abuse resulting in injury; and one count of concealment of a deceased human body.
The trial is currently scheduled for February 12.
Earlier this month, Lewis County Circuit Court Judge Jacob Reger denied a change of venue request for Lunsford-Conaway. Attorney Tom Dyer believes Reger will re-examine that motion should a jury fail to be seated.