The man accused in the deadly beating of a teen at a Northwest Indiana beach will go on trial in July, 2012.
James Malecek, 19, is accused of delivering a "sucker punch" that killed 17-year-old Kevin Kennelly following a fight in Long Beach, Ind., during the fourth of July weekend.
Added to his defense team is Indianapolis attorney Jim Voyles who in his 40-year career has also defended many high profile clients such as boxer Mike Tyson on an appeal of rape charges.
The prosecution is asking for records from Malecek's high school, Loyola academy. Specifically whether he received martial arts training before graduating last spring.
The defense team says it plans to call as many as 20 witnesses, most of them high school and college students who were on the beach in Long Beach, Indiana that night, and witnessed the confrontation between Malecek and Kennelly during a July 4th weekend party.
Sources have told NBC Chicago a large amount of alcohol was being consumed by the crowd that had gathered there, even by underage teenagers, some of whom will be among the witnesses called at trial.
Malecek pleaded not guilty to aggravated battery, involuntary manslaughter and battery charges.
