The Niles Township man awaiting trial for allegedly killing his wife will be waiting a little longer for his day in court.

On Friday, John Benton Lewis appeared before Berrien County Judge Donna Howard in St. Joseph for a case conference.

Chief Public Defender Carl Macpherson asked that Lewis’ case conference and trial be set for another date. Lewis’ trial was initially expected to take place Jan. 9.

Macpherson said the case involves reviewing more than 10,000 pages of evidence and crime lab material and that more time is needed to examine the data.

“A Jan. 9 trial is just not possible,” Macpherson said.

Berrien County Prosecutor Jerry Vigansky concurred with MacPherson’s request.

Howard granted their request. The case conference was rescheduled for Dec. 8.

Lewis was charged with first degree pre-meditated murder earlier this year and is alleged to have killed his wife, Carla Jean Lewis, on Aug. 13 at their home in Niles Township.

Additionally, he received a charge for manufacturing a controlled substance, due to his noncompliance with medical marijuana laws.

Lewis’ trial will be rescheduled for a date in February that has yet to be determined.

The trial is expected to take more than a week to wrap up.  Lewis faces life in prison for the charge.