The trial of three people charged in connection with the July stabbing death of a Casper man will begin Dec. 8.

The trial of Jeffrey Lee Carter, 46, Jonathan Jelsma, 21, and Juan Carlos Diaz, 16, is expected to last six days in Natrona County District Court.

Lawyers for the prosecution and all three defendants worked out scheduling issues related to the trial during a brief court hearing Wednesday morning.

Carter, who is charged with second-degree murder, is accused of stabbing to death Johnny Shane Moody, an acquaintance, on July 18 near the Topper Motel. Moody suffered stab wounds to his chest and back and was found lying in a nearby alley on the 700 block of East A Street.

At a July court hearing, a Casper police detective said multiple witnesses identified Carter as the person who stabbed Moody. One witness told police the men were arguing about a woman who accused Moody of trying to sexually assault her a few day before.

Jelsma and Diaz are suspected of assaulting Moody during the incident. Prosecutors charged both men with aiding and abetting second-degree murder.

All three defendants have pleaded not guilty. They could face 20 years to life behind bars if convicted.

Reach crime reporter Joshua Wolfson at (307) 266-0582 or at josh.wolfson@trib.com.