The trial for two men accused of killing a 12-year-old North Side girl has been moved to November so that one of the defendants can receive a mental health evaluation at Torrance State Hospital.

Michael Gist, 18, and Anthony Wilson, 32, are accused in the Jan. 28, 2008, death of Jolesa Barber, who was shot through the door of her sister's home on Brightridge Street in Perry South.

The case against the two was scheduled to go to trial Tuesday before Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Jeffrey A. Manning, but Mr. Wilson's attorney, Wendy Williams, told the judge she had concerns about whether her client was competent.

"It's clear that at certain times he is more cognizant than others," Ms. Williams said.

Mr. Wilson, 32, had previously been diagnosed with schizophrenia. Since he's been held at the Allegheny County Jail, he has been evaluated three times and found to be competent.

Dr. Christine Martone, who last evaluated Mr. Wilson on Aug. 19, told the judge she believed he could participate in his defense and understood the court system.

Dr. Martone did say that he was suggestible. When she mistakenly said to Mr. Wilson that he was charged in the deaths of both Jolesa and her mother, he agreed that that was true.

"He appears at times to just agree with whatever is said to him," Ms. Williams said.

Dr. Martone suggested a 60-day evaluation at Torrance, because experts would be better able to make a competency determination if they see him 24 hours a day.

Trial has been set for Nov. 15.

Jolesa's family was visibly upset at the delay in the trial following the hearing.

"We're disappointed," said Jolesa's older sister, Rayneisa Wade. "It's going on three years."

She accused the defendant of manipulating the system.

"This is tiring," Ms. Wade said. "This is trying my mom mentally and breaking her down emotionally."

But Ms. Williams said Mr. Wilson did not want to delay the case.

"My client's very anxious to go to trial," she said. "It only hurts us if it's delayed."

Looking for more from the Post-Gazette? Join PG+, our members-only web site. You'll get exclusive sports content, opinion, financial information, discounts from retailers and restaurants, and more. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details.