The man accused of murdering a Ugandan woman in Minnesota last month has seen his omnibus hearing delayed twice in this past week, Peter Lindstrom, county attorney executive assistant, told The Monitor Friday.

The hearing, at which Jonathan Samuel will have the option of pleading guilty or not guilty in the murder of Ugandan Zewu Nantambi in North St. Paul, Minnesota, on December 23, 2001, was initially scheduled for January 11. It was since rescheduled for this past Tuesday, then again to this Friday. It is now scheduled for March 11.

Lindstrom told The Monitor that hearings are usually rescheduled for one of two reasons. The first common reason for a delay is that one of the attorneys has a conflict. The second is that the two sides in the case are close to reaching a plea bargain, in which the defendant pleads guilty in exchange for a reduced sentence.

It is not known whether the hearing has been delayed for the first reason, the second, or some other reason entirely. Samuel's defense attorney, Michael Chisum, could not immediately be reached for comment.

Sonny Lwetutte of Uganda says he witnessed Samuel commit the murder. Forensic evidence also points to Samuel's culpability.

Samuel and Nantambi had dated, but they had been separated for two-three months before her death.

The maximum penalty for second-degree murder in Minnesota is 40 years in prison, but in reality the penalty is usually less than that, according to Lindstrom.