The Geographical Area 10 courthouse in New London, shuttered since the pandemic began in March, may be the only suitable location in the county for the triple murder trial of Sergio Correa.

Whether that will happen, or when, remains unclear following a hearing in Correa's case Wednesday.

Correa was scheduled to go on trial on March 17. His trial was delayed and his ensuing motions for a speedy trial denied because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Correa is accused of killing Janet, Kenneth and Matthew Lindquist and torching their Griswold home during a crime spree on Dec. 20, 2017. Correa, who turned 29 in prison on Oct. 3, faces the prospect of spending the rest of his life there if convicted. 

During a hearing on Wednesday at the New London Judicial District courthouse at 70 Huntington St., where the operations of both courthouses have been consolidated during the pandemic, defense attorney Joseph Lopez asked Judge Hunchu Kwak for an update on when the trial will take place.

Kwak said it's up to Judicial Branch officials in Hartford, adding that the location likely would be the GA10 courthouse at 112 Broad St. That is the only courthouse in the district that has not reopened as the courts ramp up their operations. One reason for the continued closure of GA10 may be the size and layout of the basement lockup, where prisoners are held while waiting for their court appearances.

While not yet deemed safe for day-to-day operations, judicial officials are considering whether the Correa trial could take place using the entire GA10 courthouse, including its first- and second-floor courtrooms.

Correa's case is moving forward despite the unsettled date and location of the trial.

Kwak said he has been reviewing records related to Correa's girlfriend, Tanisha Vicento, and Correa's sister and codefendant, Ruth Correa, to determine what should be admitted to trial.

The judge has scheduled an evidentiary hearing for Oct. 14 on defense motions to suppress, or keep from the jury, several items of evidence, including cellphone and internet records.

At the hearing, which could last up to two days, the defense is expected to elicit testimony from law enforcement officials, Vicento and others. Correa also could be called to testify, Lopez said Wednesday.

Lopez has pressed the judge to bring Vicento into court in advance to determine whether she would be pleading the Fifth Amendment so as not to implicate herself.

At a probable cause hearing last year, Vicento had testified that hours after the crimes, Correa showed her two long guns stolen from the Lindquist home and told her that he and Ruth had killed Janet and Kenneth Lindquist.

The siblings also are accused of murdering the couple's son, Matthew Lindquist, who had made a deal with Sergio Correa to let Correa steal his father's guns in exchange for drugs.

On Wednesday, Lopez said the state notified him that in follow-up interviews, Vicento admitted to further acts that could potentially lead to a charge of tampering with evidence. He said Vicento admitted helping clean up the car that the Correa siblings drove from Hartford to Griswold and to getting rid of items stolen from the Lindquist home, such as a laptop and, possibly, jewelry.

He said he would be inquiring, on the record, whether the state has told Vicento she would not be prosecuted for those crimes.

Attorney Peter Catania has been appointed to represent Vicento, and told the judge Wednesday that he is discussing the Fifth Amendment issues with her.

k.florin@theday.com