The murder trial that was scheduled to start Monday for the man accused of fatally shooting Bowie teenager Stacey Seaton in 2005 has been postponed to Oct. 31.

“The request for the delay is based on issues with getting in touch with some of the state witnesses,” said Nancy Lineman, a spokeswoman for the Office of the State’s Attorney for Prince George’s County.

Seaton’s mother, Gale Seaton of Bowie, said she is disappointed with the postponement, which also happened with another defendant in the case, one-time Bowie resident McDonald Abraham III, 26.

“We're disappointed, but not surprised by the continuance, as we had two with the first defendant,” Seaton said in an email Monday.

“However, we are here for Stacey, no matter how long it takes,” she said.

Jarvis Dejuan Tyler, 25, of Orlando, Fla., pleaded not guilty in March to charges of first-degree murder, use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence and conspiracy to commit murder.

Abraham is scheduled to be sentenced Aug. 26, according to Prince George’s County Circuit Court records. His sentencing date will be postponed pending the outcome of the rescheduled Tyler trial, Lineman said.

Abraham, who was originally charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, and use of a handgun in a crime of violence, was scheduled for trial Jan. 12.

However, Circuit Court Judge Michael Pearson closed the courtroom, sealed the case file and postponed the case. The next day, an arrest warrant was issued for Tyler, who was arrested Jan. 28.

On Feb. 2, Abraham pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and the use of a handgun in a crime of violence. He faces a maximum of 50 years in prison.

Abraham’s sentencing was originally scheduled for April 22 but then rescheduled to Aug. 26, after Tyler’s original trial date of Monday.

Illegal drugs and money were stolen from Abraham’s apartment several days before Seaton was killed, and Abraham mistakenly held Seaton responsible for the theft, according to charging documents in Abraham’s case.

Police cited witnesses who said they heard Abraham make threats against Seaton because of the theft, including saying, “She was going to get hers,” according to charging documents.

Prosecutors say Tyler was hired to kill Seaton, whose body was found in a park near her home. If convicted, Tyler faces a possible death penalty or life in prison.

vterhune@gazette.net