FORT WALTON BEACH — Attorneys are continuing to prepare for the trial of Mickey Lee Wilson, who is charged with premeditated murder in a killing more than 28 years ago.
The 51-year-old Georgia man’s next court appearance is scheduled for Oct. 11.
Wilson is accused of killing Donald Lamar Tidwell of Mary Esther, who was found dead in a room at the Marina Motel on Okaloosa Island in February 1985.
Tidwell, a 34-year-old salesman, had been stabbed dozens of times in the neck, upper chest and upper and middle back.
A movie projector and canisters of film were among the items found at the scene. Then-Sheriff Larry Gilbert called the killing “homosexual related.”
Before he was killed, Tidwell had been arrested at least once for solicitation. He also had stayed at the Marina Motel at least once before he was killed.
The case was open for 27 years before evidence pointing to Wilson came out. New technology allowed sheriff’s investigators to match DNA collected at the scene to him.
Wilson was indicted nearly a year ago. At the time, he was serving a life sentence in prison in Georgia for a 1991 homicide.
Prosecutors announced shortly after Wilson’s indictment that they will be seeking the death penalty.
Assistant District Attorney Angela Mason is prosecuting the case. She said an exact trial date has not been determined.
“We are just beginning the discovery process,” Mason said. “When we filed the death penalty notice it required (Wilson) to get a different defense attorney who is now beginning the discovery phase.”
Contact Daily News Staff Writer Angel McCurdy at 850-315-4432 or amccurdy@nwfdailynews.com. Follow her on Twitter @AngelMnwfdn.