A Texas County death penalty case will be heard in Greene County, a judge in Steelville determined Monday.
Andrew J. Vrba, 19, of Houston, is charged with first-degree murder, armed criminal action and abandonment of a corpse in the September death of Joseph M. Steinfeld, 17, who went by “Ally” and planned to transition to a female, according to family members. Authorities allege the victim was stabbed and the remains burned.
Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty in the case.
No trial date has been set.
Two other defendants were previously sentenced, and another, Briana Calderas, still faces a trial. A pre-trial conference was Wednesday in her case. A trial in Pulaski County is Feb. 25-March 1. She also is charged with first-degree murder, armed criminal action and abandonment of a corpse.