NATCHEZ — The prosecution was ready, the jury pool was there, but Anthony Dawson, who is charged with murder, will have to wait a little longer for his day in court.

Jury selection for Dawson’s trial was schedule to begin Wednesday, but the defense asked for more time in order to be adequately prepared for trial. The trial has been postponed until January.

“It’s a murder case and a man’s life is at stake and it should be carefully prepared for,” defense attorney Patricia Dunmore said. “There are a lot of issues in it and a lot of doctors involved.”

Dawson is charged with the February 2007 murder of his daughter’s live-in boyfriend, William “Willie” Turner.

David Reed was the original defense attorney, but the case was passed on to Dunmore when Reed died in February.

In order to defend Dawson, Dunmore said she needed more time on the case.

“It’s important that his rights be protected at this time,” she said.

Dawson allegedly had been drinking heavily, and shot Turner because he thought that he and his daughter were fighting.

Dawson was reportedly so intoxicated at the time of his arrest, the Sheriff’s Office waited until the next day to charge him. Dawson was also charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, due to his 1974 arrest for aggravated assault.

He pleaded not guilty in July 2007 and is free on a $200,000 bond.