The criminal trial of a Pennsylvania man accused of killing and dismembering transgender teenager Pauly Likens has been postponed again, with the case now scheduled for the March 2026 criminal trial term, according to court records in Mercer County.
DaShawn Watkins, 31, has been held without bail since his arrest in July 2024. He faces multiple charges related to Likens’ death, including first-degree murder, criminal homicide, aggravated assault, abuse of a corpse, tampering with evidence, and sexual intercourse with a person under 16 years old.
The most recent delay follows a court order that moved the trial from its previously scheduled January 13, 2026 start date to March 10, 2026. The order was signed by Mercer County Common Pleas Judge Daniel Wallace. Court documents cite scheduling and procedural considerations for the continuance, though no additional details were provided publicly.
This is the latest in a series of postponements in the high-profile case. The trial was originally expected to begin in July 2025 before being rescheduled for September 2025, then moved again to January 2026. Defense motions and pretrial proceedings have continued to extend the timeline.
Earlier in the case, Watkins’ defense team filed a motion requesting a change of venue, arguing that extensive media coverage in Mercer County could prevent the selection of an impartial jury. In October 2025, Judge Wallace denied that request, ruling that sufficient time had passed since the initial reporting and that a fair jury could still be seated locally.
Pauly Likens, 14, was reported missing in June 2024. Her remains were later discovered in and around the Shenango River Reservoir. Investigators linked Watkins to the crime through surveillance footage and other evidence gathered during the investigation. Prosecutors allege that Likens was killed and dismembered, though details of the evidence will not be fully addressed until trial.
Authorities have not announced whether hate crime enhancements will be pursued. Advocacy groups and LGBTQ+ organizations have repeatedly called for such charges, citing the ongoing violence faced by transgender youth. As of the latest court filings, no hate crime designation has been added.
The repeated delays have drawn frustration from community members and advocates who say the prolonged legal process adds to the trauma experienced by Likens’ family and the broader transgender community.
The trial is currently scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. on March 10, 2026, unless further delays are granted.
