Circuit Court arraignment for a woman accused of killing her husband was delayed Thursday, as lawyers decide whether the case should be tried here.

Defense lawyer Bert Godding on June 23 filed a joint motion for a change of judge and a change venue in the case of Angela Mason. The change of judge is viewed as automatic under state statute, but a change of venue would require a ruling from a judge, and until one is assigned, the case is on hold.  By Thursday morning the case had not been reassigned to a new judge, according to online court records.

The second part of the motion asks the court to move the case to another county “…for the reason that the inhabitants of Buchanan County are prejudiced against the Defendant.” Prosecuting Attorney Dwight Scroggins filed court documents urging the court to reject that part of the motion. No hearing date has been scheduled.

As we reported, prosecutors now charge Mason with armed criminal action, as well as alternative counts of second-degree murder, voluntary manslaughter and involuntary manslaughter.

Mason is accused of the fatal shooting of her husband Jeffery Mason on March 3 during an argument at the couple’s home. The defendant told police the pair had struggled over the firearm and it went off. But during a preliminary hearing this week, a judge heard testimony about some incriminating comments indicating the shooting may not have been an accident.

Mason remains free on $25,000 bond.