CLEVELAND, Ohio – A federal judge has refused to delay the trial for two men accused in the shooting death of a U.S. postal worker in Warren, denying their request for more time to prepare an argument against the federal death penalty.
U.S. District Judge Donald C. Nugent issued an order on Tuesday, denying the joint motion from Kaprise Sledge and Thomas Sledge to postpone the trial, which is currently scheduled to begin on Feb. 17, 2026.
The ruling is the latest step by Judge Nugent to keep the case moving forward despite defense arguments about the unique complexities of potential capital punishment cases.
Attorneys for the Sledges argued that the trial date should be moved to give them time to conduct a proper investigation into mitigating issues necessary for submission to the Department of Justice. That submission, part of a formal Department of Justice (DOJ) protocol, allows the defense to present reasons why the government should not seek the death penalty. It typically includes an assessment of the government’s case strength, the defendant’s role, and any mitigating evidence.
