Sentencing for a Topeka man convicted in the 2005 murder of a rural Lecompton man has been rescheduled for March 21, 2008.

Leonard Price, above, was scheduled to be sentenced Friday but Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson asked Judge Michael Malone to continue the hearing.

Branson noted Price had agreed earlier this year to testify in the trial of an alleged accomplice in the murder. Allen D. Smith, also of Topeka, is to be tried Feb. 25 for first-degree murder and aggravated burglary. He is accused of shooting to death Clarence Boose, 77, during a burglary at Boose’s home April 29, 2005.

Branson wants Price to testify before he is sentenced. Price agreed to testify in Smith’s case as part of a plea he entered into last February. Price pleaded guilty to felony murder. Smith’s trial had been scheduled for Sept. 24 but it was continued.

During Smith’s preliminary hearing in May, Price testified that he and Smith entered Boose’s house to look for money to buy drugs. He said they didn’t know Boose was there. Price said Smith shot Boose in the head.

Price is facing a sentence of 20 years to life for his part in the Boose murder. He already is serving time in prison for a shooting and burglary in Pottawattomie County.