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VALPARAISO — The man accused of pulling the trigger during an April shooting death in Portage will not see jurors until early next year, but the trial for his co-defendant is scheduled to begin Tuesday, officials said.

Jury selection is to begin that morning for Timothy Sandifer IV, 20, of Gary, who is accused of helping to murder Darion Anderson, 20, of Hammond, on April 29 at a home in Portage, officials say.

He is charged with counts of aiding in a murder in perpetration of a robbery and aiding in an attempted robbery, records show.

Police say Sandifer is responsible for bringing the gunman to the scene. That alleged gunman is Montrell McLaurin Jr., 20, of Gary, who is charged with murder, murder in the perpetration of a robbery and robbery with firearm enhancements for each count, records show.

An uncooperative witness forced a delay in McLaurin's case and the unusual move of releasing him without bond.

Porter County Deputy Prosecutor Mary Ryan has said the delay until Jan. 6 was necessary because the out-of-state witness in question, who is needed to refute claims of self defense by the McLaurin, has repeatedly dodged interviews and a hearing with her office.

Ryan said it is anticipated that the witness in question would testify he spent April 29 with Anderson and others, and Sandifer showed up to the Portage home with a 9mm gun. Anderson also reportedly had a gun.

When the group decided to buy marijuana, Sandifer contacted his "weed guy," identified as McLaurin, according to Ryan.

McLaurin came into the house armed with a Micro Draco, which is described as an AK-style pistol that is reportedly popular among criminals and gangs. He was reportedly joined by another armed male.

"The witness would testify that it was weird that Sandifer brought the 'weed guy' and the other male into the home for a marijuana sale instead of the transaction occurring outside," according to Ryan.

The witness says he believed McLaurin was trying to separate Anderson from his friends and then watched as McLaurin pointed his gun at Anderson and said, "Hey don't move. Give me that gun," according to the motion for the delay.

When Anderson turned to grab his gun, McLaurin pulled the trigger on the Micro Draco, the witness reported. Anderson reportedly never had a chance to grab his gun.

While McLaurin is now claiming self defense in the shooting, that would be refuted by the testimony of the witness in question, Ryan said. Prosecutors say the motive of the shooting was robbery.