Prosecution, Defense Preparing for Lengthy Trial in Wayland Murder Case

The trial for Nathaniel Fujita is expected to commence, as scheduled, on Feb. 11 with two to three days of jury selection to begin what both the prosecution and defense predict will be a lengthy trial.

During a status hearing Thursday in front of Judge Peter Lauriat at Middlesex Superior Court, prosecutor Lisa McGovern said she was speaking "in all candor" when she estimated the length of the upcoming trial.

Fujita is accused of killing Lauren Astley, his ex-girlfriend, on July 3, 2011. He is facing a first-degree murder charge, among other charges.

"It's a long trial, your honor," McGovern said, adding that she estimated about three weeks. "There are a great number of witnesses in this case."

McGovern also explained that, in the case of the prosecution at least, there are some complications with scheduling the witnesses, including one "critical witness" -- the chemist who conducted forensic and DNA tests in the case and who will be unavailable for a week during the expected trial dates.

Lauriat told McGovern and defense attorney William Sullivan that he wants the list of witnesses completed prior to the final pre-trial conference scheduled on Jan. 28. The judge requested that a list of witnesses, without marking them as either defense or prosecution, be prepared and distributed to jury members to help them keep the information clear in their minds.

He also offered the prosecution and defense some further guidance on his expectations for the trial itself, including his preference for conducting opening statements and examining one or two witnesses before the members of the jury are taken to Wayland for a viewing of three locations relevant to the case.

Fujita, whom Sullivan said is being held at Cambridge House of Corrections, sat quietly beside his attorney throughout Thursday's short hearing. He has been present in the courtroom for each of several recent hearings, though he has not spoken publicly since withdrawing his request to dismiss his attorney in October.

The next court date, the final one before the trial starts, is scheduled for Jan. 28 at 10 a.m.