Porter Superior Court Judge Bill Alexa has re-scheduled the trial of Dustin McCowan, charged with the murder of Amanda Bach.

The new dates:

•Omnibus hearing, 9 a.m. Friday, Nov. 18.

•Final pre-trial hearing, 9 a.m. Friday, Dec. 23.

•Jury trial, 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 30.

The case was transferred to Alexa’s court after Porter Circuit Court Judge Mary Harper recused herself on Sept. 20, following the appearance of her former husband, attorney Bob Harper, on McCowan’s behalf.

McCowan, 18, was formally charged with the murder of Amanda Bach on Sept. 19, two days after Bach’s body was found near his home in Union Township. She had been missing since the early morning hours of Sept. 16.

Bach was killed by a single gunshot wound to the throat, which severed a vertebra.

Harper has said that his client has consistently and continually denied any involvement in Bach’s death.

Posted 9/27/2011