by Krystal Paco

Guam - Keith Garrido, the defendant in a two year old murder case, will head to trial before the year's end.

Garrido appeared at the superior court this morning via Skype from the Hagatna Lockup.

Rather than set a trial date today, alternate public defender Stephen Hattori requested more time since defense just received grand jury discs.

Garrido is accused of killing Barrigada resident Nancy Mafnas after he burglarized her home. While detained, Garrido reportedly escaped from a doc vehicle en route to a court hearing and allegedly assaulted another woman in her home.

Today, Judge Anita Sukola advised both parties that she intends to proceed with trial before the New Year.

A continued pretrial conference has been set for December 22.