Chances to enter a plea deal for a man accused of shooting and killing 55-year-old Omar Olmedo in February 2024 are dwindling ahead of a trial set for May.

Marquise Hutt, 39, was arrested in early December 2024 after several months of investigation by the Colorado Springs Police Department connected him to the killing. Charged with first-degree murder, Hutt has yet to enter a plea of guilty or not guilty. He could still enter a plea deal before a two-week trial that’s set to commence on May 11.

In the early hours of Feb. 29, 2024, police were called to The Lamplighter Mobile Homes near South Academy Boulevard, The Gazette previously reported. When they arrived, they said they found Olmedo lying on his back with a small pool of blood near him. The man also had blood on his face and arm.

Olmedo appeared unconscious and was transported to a local hospital shortly after police arrived. He died on March 5 after days on life support.

Hutt was supposed to enter his plea Tuesday morning, but the defense asked for more time during a hearing that lasted less than 10 minutes. This makes it the second time that a plea has not been entered in court.

“The parties have been really diligently negotiating this case. We think that we will have a mediation,” said defense attorney Hope Goodman.

The prosecutor told 4th Judicial District Judge Michael McHenry that they have been in discussion with the defense and are willing to delay the arraignment, which is when a defendant enters a plea.

McHenry noted delaying the arraignment may mean the trial will be put behind other cases that have a higher priority if a plea agreement isn’t made.

Though there is currently only one other case set for trial on May 11, McHenry said that three months “is an eternity” in the world of criminal cases.

Hutt will have another arraignment on March 13. As of Tuesday, he remains in the El Paso County jail on a no-bond hold.