NORTHWOOD — The man charged in the stabbing death of a Northwood woman last summer in Swensrud Park has asked for an extension for his trial.

Tyrone Robin Washington Jr. this week waived his right to a have a jury trial within one year of his arraignment. His trial had been slated to begin June 2 in Fort Dodge, Iowa, after a Worth County judge moved it from Northwood because of pre-trial publicity.

Court documents state Washington and his lawyer need more time to prepare for trial. Prosecutors added additional witnesses mid-April and some additional testing may need to be done.

“The physical distance between the office of the undersigned attorney and Worth County has caused some delays,” court records state.

Washington’s present lawyer, Charles Kenville, of the Fort Dodge public defender’s office, was assigned to his case in January after conflicts with his prior lawyer.

Washington, 40, is accused of stabbing Justina Marie Smith, 30, to death on the morning of Aug 5 before he reportedly fled the park in Smith’s 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix. Iowa State Patrol troopers arrested Washington in Scott County, Iowa, that afternoon.

According to an autopsy, Smith died from what has been described as “multiple sharp-force injuries.”

Washington was Smith’s live-in boyfriend, but Smith had requested a restraining order in July after Washington allegedly assaulted and strangled her.