Judge Sets Court Date for Bobby Buckner - WTOC-TV: Savannah, Beaufort, SC, News, Weather & Sports

SAVANNAH, GA (WTOC) - Bobby Buckner is back in Chatham County awaiting trail for the murder of 12-year-old Ashleigh Moore.

Buckner is serving a ten year sentence at Ware State Prison for child molestation. Today, a Chatham County judge set a pre-trial conference date for the murder charge that will be on May 27. Buckner's attorney said at that time, the judge will want to know if Buckner plans to plea or take his chances with a jury.

Police said Buckner strangled Ashleigh to death in April 2003 and hid her body along the Savannah riverfront. Buckner was dating Ashleigh's mother at the time.

Reported by: Michelle Paynter, mpaynter@wtoc.com

For some background on the case from the wtoc.com archives, follow the links below:

05/15/03
Ashleigh Moore Confirmed Dead

05/15/03
Ashleigh Moore's Classmates Hear the News

05/15/03
Grieving for Ashleigh

05/16/03
Counselors Help Ashleigh Moore's Classmates

05/23/03
Ashleigh Moore Memorial

05/24/03
Savannah Says Goodbye to Ashleigh

06/19/03
Police Say They're Making Progress in Ashleigh Moore Case

08/04/03
Buckner Probation Hearing Delayed

10/06/03
New Allegations Against Buckner

04/15/04
Buckner Found Guilty of Probation Violation

04/16/04
Ashleigh Moore Murder Case Still Active

11/03/04
Buckner Indicted on 21 Counts

05/31/05
Buckner Back in Court

09/20/2006
Buckner Pleads Guilty to Molesting Young Girls

12/12/07
Buckner Indicted in Ashleigh Moore Murder

12/12/07
Reaction To Bobby Buckner's Indictment