By STEPHANIE BRUMFIELD / Staff Writer

ALABASTER – A Louisiana man charged with stabbing and killing his 9-month-old daughter and the baby’s mother in Alabaster appeared before Judge Dan Reeves Sept. 20, who said trial would begin Feb. 10 at the latest barring “extraordinary” circumstances.

Alabaster police arrested 35-year-old Terrence Patterson in July 2011 and charged him with two counts of capital murder after police said he allegedly stabbed and killed Columbiana resident Tryphena Lacey, 24, and her daughter, 9-month-old Trinity Lacey Patterson, in Room 11 at the Shelby Motor Lodge. He pleaded not guilty to the two counts of capital murder during an August 2011 hearing at the Shelby County Courthouse.

At the Sept. 20 hearing, Reeves denied a motion filed by Patterson’s attorneys to bar the death penalty. He also discussed trial dates.

Noting the case is nearly three years old, Reeves said he wanted to being trial as soon as possible. After Reeves suggested a beginning trial date of Nov. 18, Assistant District Attorney Jill Lee said she worried that might not provide enough time should the defense file a motion for psychiatric evaluation. Patterson’s attorneys said they planed to file the motion immediately following the hearing.

Reeves said they would still shoot for the November trial date, but the next available trial date would be Feb. 10. if the November date presents problems.

“I fully intend to try this case Feb. 10 barring any extraordinary circumstances,” Reeves said.

Patterson is currently being held in the Shelby County Jail without bond.