By ILY GOYANES
Correspondent

PORT ORCHARD — Murder suspect Gabriel Gaeta is scheduled to appear in court at 1:30 p.m. Oct. 23 for an omnibus hearing, in which his defense attorney will introduce its argument against the charges brought against him.

At an omnibus hearing, a defense attorney may introduce innocence by reason of insanity or diminished capacity, among others. During omnibus hearings, evidence, motions, plea offers, and trial dates may also be brought before the judge.

Superior Court Judge Jennifer Forbes granted defense attorney Jeniece LaCross’s request Sept. 25 that an omnibus hearing be scheduled a few weeks into the future, after LaCross meets with the prosecutor this week. Gaeta was in court Sept. 25; he sat in the jury box and chatted with LaCross.

Gaeta is accused of raping and murdering Jenise Wright, 6, last year in East Bremerton. The two were neighbors at the Steele Creek Mobile Home Park; Jenise’s body was found in nearby woods five days after her parents reported her missing.

Gaeta is charged with first-degree murder and first-degree rape of a child, both with aggravating circumstances. According to court documents, a search warrant served at Gaeta’s home on Aug. 9, 2014, resulted in the discovery of bloodstained clothing and a bloody towel. The defendant, a star wrestler at Olympic High School at the time, was arrested the same day. Authorities say the defendant’s DNA matched samples taken from the crime scene.

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