Ily Goyanes / Correspondent

PORT ORCHARD — Murder suspect Gabriel Gaeta appeared in court on Friday with Roger Hunko, one of his two defense attorneys, but proceedings are not moving along as quickly as Superior Court Judge Jennifer Forbes would like.

Judge Forbes informed Hunko and prosector Chad Enright that she was concerned about the pace of the proceedings as the trial date of Jan. 11 was not far away.

“You need to be getting an omnibus order in,” she advised Hunko. At an omnibus hearing, the defense introduces its argument – for example innocence by reason of insanity or diminished capacity – against the charges facing their client.

Omnibus hearings also offer attorneys the opportunity to introduce evidence, plea deals, and motions.

On Sept. 25, the date of Gaeta’s last court appearance, Gaeta’s other defense attorney Jeniece LaCross, had requested an omnibus hearing, but the defense was not ready on Friday to present its argument.

Gaeta is facing first-degree murder and first-degree rape of a child charges, both with aggravating circumstances, regarding the rape and murder of Jenise Wright, 6, last year.  The two were neighbors at the Steele Creek Mobile Home Park in East Bremerton.

Trial is scheduled to begin Jan. 11 at 9 a.m.