A new trial date has been set for Joseph Pilkington, husband of the Bellefontaine mom accused of killing their three children.
Joseph Pilkington, 44, of Newark, is charged with sexual battery for allegedly having a sexual relationship with his now wife, Brittany Pilkington, when she was a minor and he had lived in her home as a step-father figure for years.
He will now go on trial for one count of sexual battery on July 26 and 27.
In February, Judge Mark O’Connor heard two motions asking that Joseph Pilkington’s original trial set for Feb. 25 and 26 be postponed, and asking that Logan County Prosecutor Bill Goslee be removed from the case because he previously represented Joseph Pilkington in a divorce case.
Goslee stepped away from the case voluntarily, allowing a special prosecutor to be assigned and avoid any conflict of interest.
Union County Prosecutor David Phillips was assigned to take over the case last month, prompting the rescheduling of the trial dates.
Joseph Pilkington has pre-trial hearings scheduled for June 21 and July 11.
Brittany Pilkington allegedly confessed to killing 3-month-old Niall Pilkington in July 2014, 4-year-old Gavin Pilkington in April of last year and 3-month-old Noah in August, authorities said.
Her husband has pleaded not guilty to a charge of sexually assaulting her before they were married when she was a teenager.
Brittany Pilkington, 23, of Bellefontaine, pleaded not guilty to aggravated murder. Her trial is scheduled for October.
Her lawyers have also asked for a special prosecutor to be assigned and for her trial to be moved out to Logan County.
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