(KLZA)-- A jury trial originally scheduled to have begin Monday, February 8th, for a Falls City man accused in the August shooting death of his cousin, has been continued to May 23rd. 

Desiderio Hernandez entered a plea of not guilty to charges of first-degree murder, use of a weapon to commit a felony and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person in November.

Hernandez is accused of shooting Joseph Debella Jr. during an August 4th argument in Falls City.  Debella died eight days later at a Lincoln hospital.

In January, attorney’s representing Hernandez filed a motion, seeking additional time to receive discovery and conduct depositions in preparing their defense.

The trial is now scheduled to begin May 23rd in Richardson County District Court.

If convicted, Hernandez faces a maximum penalty of life in prison. He remains in the Richardson County Jail on a $1.5 million bond.