The criminal trial for a man accused of murder has been rescheduled for early 2017.

Rontarus Washington Jr., 20, is accused of killing his neighbor at Lawrence’s Cedarwood Apartments in November 2014. He was arrested in Mississippi in January 2015 and faces felony charges of first-degree murder and aggravated burglary.

A trial for Washington was scheduled to begin Monday. In August, however, he made a motion to reschedule.

Rontarus Washington Jr.

On Nov. 9, 2014, the body of Justina Altamirano Mosso, 19, was found inside her apartment at 1727 W. 24th St. in what police described as a “violent” crime scene.

Washington is accused of killing Mosso two days prior to her body being found.

During Washington’s preliminary hearing, detectives testified that they found his fingerprints on a toilet tank lid inside Mosso’s apartment. They believe he used the lid to beat her over the head.

In addition, detectives said they found Mosso’s blood on Washington’s sandals and DNA evidence under his fingernails.

Washington is currently in the custody of the Douglas County Jail. His criminal trial is now scheduled to begin Jan. 17, 2017.