FORT PIERCE, Fla.-- Tyler Hadley was not in the courtroom Thursday morning when his public defender and the assistant state attorney met with Judge James McCann for a status hearing.
The assistant state attorney told the judge he was ready for the hearing to begin as soon as possible, suggesting it start in July.
But Diamond Litty, Hadley's public defender, told the judge she needed at least 6-8 months to prepare.
Litty said there is a lot to do before it starts, such as re-evaluating Tyler Hadley, reading over transcripts from the original sentencing hearing and gathering new experts who have expertise on the psychology of a juvenile.
The new hearing is taking place because his last sentence for two consecutive life sentences was reversed by the District Court of Appeal in April.
Litty said that during Hadley's first hearing, new legislation was underway regarding sentences for juveniles who commit crimes.
Hadley was convicted in 2014 for the murders of his parents in their Port St. Lucie home in 2011 when he was 17.
Under the new legislation, it's required that Hadley's case be reviewed once he serves 25 years in jail.
According to the document filed by the DCA, "the trial court did not consider the correct alternative to a life sentence. We are therefore compelled to reverse and remand for resentencing."
The document cites the Supreme Court's 2012 decision made in the Miller v. Alabama case that claimed "mandatory life without parole for those under the age of 18 at the time of their crimes violated the Eighth Amendment's prohibition on 'cruel and unusual punishments.'"
In court on Thursday, the assistant state attorney told the judge he was concerned that 6-8 months was too long to wait, and that the judge may forget the details surrounding the case.
Litty said, "This case could never ever be out of sight, out of mind for anyone. For the community, for the family that's had to live through this, for the defense lawyers, the prosecution. This was a horrific case. I make no bones about it."
Litty did not specify what she's hoping the outcome of the resentencing hearing will be.
The next status hearing for the case is at 8:30 a.m. on July 28.
Litty said Hadley was not brought to court Thursday from a facility in Okeechobee County because she didn't plan on taking any legal action at that time.
