GREEN COVE SPRINGS, Fla. -- It's a case that has tugged the heartstrings of just about everyone in Clay County. It has been nearly two years since 7-year-old Somer Thompson was murdered in Orange Park.
Tuesday, a pre-trial hearing was held for the man police have charged in her death.
She was kidnapped, killed and tossed in the trash. Tuesday Somer's mom was back inside the courthouse as the case against Jared Harrell moves forward.
Tuesday, Diena Thompson took her usual seat in the front row of the courtroom. It's just another step in her almost two year journey.
Diena choked back tears leaving yet another minute-long hearing. Harrell wasn't in the courtroom. He usually isn't. It's a tough reality for this devastated mother to face, but reality all the same.
"There can be monsters and animals in this world but there is one mother in this world that will never give up," said Thompson.
But the day now draws closer that Jared Harrell's presence here will be required. Today the judge set a trial date in Somer's case - the final quarter of 2012.
"It's still very far away. But I'm glad that there's a light at the end of the tunnel," said Thompson.
The judge also set a firm court date in an unrelated case against Harrell. He is facing multiple charges of producing child pornography. That case will head to trial on January 30th of 2012.
A judge has issued a restrictive gag order on this case, so neither the prosecution nor the defense can discuss any aspect of this case.
