Teen accused of killing 10-year-old cousin Lily Peters may avoid November trial after new hearing scheduled
Carson Peters-Berger's resolution hearing is set for Aug. 26 in the Lily Peters homicide case, but questions remain about whether a trial will proceed.
The Wisconsin teenager accused of killing his 10-year-old cousin, Lily Peters, in 2022 may not face a November trial after a resolution hearing was scheduled in the case.
More than four years after Lily's death, Carson Peters-Berger, 18, had been expected to stand trial in November on multiple charges, including first-degree intentional homicide and sexual assault, in connection with his cousin's death.
The Chippewa County District Attorney's Office announced that a resolution hearing has been scheduled for Aug. 26, according to WEAU.
Chippewa County District Attorney Wade Newell told the outlet that the scheduled resolution means the case will not go to trial and will instead conclude following the hearing.
However, Peters-Berger's defense attorney, Michael Cohen, told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that the proceeding will "address issues in the case that will determine whether there will be a trial."
Court records do not yet indicate the nature of the resolution expected to be presented during the hearing later this month.
Lily was reported missing by her father on the evening of April 24, 2022, after she failed to return home from her aunt's house.
Her father later found Lily's bicycle in a wooded area in Chippewa Falls, but an initial search by police did not locate her.
Authorities were notified the following morning that Lily's body had been found near the area where her bicycle was discovered. Investigators said her injuries were consistent with blunt force trauma, according to the criminal complaint.
During an interview with police, Peters-Berger, who was 14 at the time, allegedly said he asked Lily to "go exploring off the trail."
According to the complaint, Peters-Berger allegedly "punched [Lily] in the stomach, knocking her to the ground" and struck her with a stick while they were in the woods.
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Peters-Berger also allegedly told investigators that he strangled Lily and attempted to sexually assault her after her death, according to the complaint.
Afterward, Peters-Berger allegedly returned home, where "he showered and put his dirty clothes in the laundry," according to the complaint.
After learning Lily had been reported missing, Peters-Berger allegedly determined that "he needed to hide her better" and returned to her body, dragged her several feet and covered her with leaves, according to the complaint.
Peters-Berger was charged with first-degree intentional homicide, first-degree sexual assault and first-degree sexual assault of a child under age 13 resulting in great bodily harm. He faces life in prison if convicted of the most serious charge.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the Chippewa County District Attorney's Office and Peters-Berger's defense attorney for additional comment.
Fox News Digital's Adam Sabes contributed to this report.