Donthe Lucas makes court appearance Monday afternoon

Donthe Lucas, the man who stands accused of killing his 21-year-old pregnant girlfriend, Kelsie Schelling, made an appearance in court Monday afternoon.

Lucas hasn’t stood in front of the judge since he entered a plea of not guilty at a hearing back in August. The 3 p.m. status hearing gave attorneys on both sides, as well as the judge, the ability to get an update and ask for further information if needed as they head towards a trial.

Even though Lucas’ murder trial date is tentatively set for April 2 and is expected to last weeks, the discussion in the courtroom Monday could mean that the trial may not start on time, which could be a scary prospect for Schelling’s family.

“We were already waiting a very long time to get to this April date,” said Laura Saxton, Shelling’s mother, after the hearing on Monday. “Having to wait another six months or so would be depressing.”

In May of last year, a Pueblo judge decided there was enough evidence against the former Pueblo Central High School basketball standout to go to trial in the murder of his former girlfriend, Schelling.

Schelling drove from Denver to Pueblo to see Lucas back in February of 2013. Since then, she has not been seen or heard from. Investigators believe she was pregnant when she drove down to see Lucas.

Saxton and the rest of Schelling’s family were present inside the courtroom Monday. Even though Monday’s hearing only lasted ten or fifteen minutes, she says the four-hour drive to Pueblo was worth it.

“I need things like this to kind of help keep me going,” said Saxton. “I feel like even if the judge even doesn’t realize I’m here. I hope he knows Kelsey’s mother is here and I am going to be Kelsey’s voice.”

Lucas’ attorneys have asked for a change in venue during the last hearing back in August. That doesn’t appear to be something the judge wants to consider unless they can’t field a solid jury.