Skateboard-attack hearing postponed

Pre-trial hearings for George Strano, the man charged with the second-degree murder of Demetri Andrews, were pushed back yesterday at the request of the defense to give a new public defender time to prepare for the case.

While a trial date for Strano has not yet been set, Steve Fogg, the prosecuting attorney, estimates Strano will see a jury sometime this summer or fall.

Strano was not even brought to yesterday's hearing in King County Superior Court, said Dan Donohoe, a spokesman for the King County prosecutor's office.

Strano, according to police, hit Andrews on the head with his skateboard on April 9, sending Andrews into a fatal coma.

Joseph Tremato, a friend of Strano and present during the attack, was recently detained by Seattle police and sent back to California for violating his parole there, according to Fogg.

King County Jail records show Tremato was held for three days starting May 16, but not for what reason.

Tremato will most likely not be charged with murder, according to Donohoe.

"Prosecutors declined to file murder charges against Tremato," said the Seattle police homicide detective working the case, Rolf Norton.

Investigation has halted for the moment on Tremato, said Norton.

"Certainly there will be more (detective) work to do when the case goes to trail," said Norton.

However, Fogg said there is still a chance Tremato could be charged in relation to the case if new evidence surfaces.

Vasili Andrews, brother of the victim, continues to suspect there are witnesses yet to come forward who could provide new information.

"I've heard varying things ... like Strano and Tremato were lingering around the area two hours before they attacked Demetri," he said.

Vasili doesn't expect Strano's trial to start for another six or 12 months. In the meantime, he is trying to return to life without his older brother.

"I'm doing well considering all that has happened," Vasili said. "Myself and a few other people are working to start an organization to clean up the Ave."

Though the group is in the early stages, organizers have had conversations with Seattle City Council members, he said. Vasili is also trying to secure non-profit status for the organization.

Vasili has also been working on raising money for the college education of Demetri's son, Niko.

"We were able to raise a nice amount of money -- not extensive, but a good start," said Vasili. "[Niko's] freshman year of college is probably taken care of."