The Lisa Garretson murder trial date was postponed Monday so the defense can seek expert testimony at DeKalb County’s expense to be used when the trial begins in January.

Associate Judge Douglas R. Engel granted the defense’s request for $4,000 in DeKalb County funds to pay for expert testimony in the case, said DeKalb County State’s Attorney Mike Coghlan. Accused murderer Brett Hooghkirk does not have the money to pay the expert’s fees, he said.

Hooghkirk’s case—originally scheduled to begin Dec. 3—was advanced on the court call Monday, Coghlan said. Hooghkirk, his attorney Kurt Klein and Coghlan met in front of Engel to request the motions.

Coghlan, Engel and Klein then made a conference call to circuit judge Phillip DiMarzio, who is set to preside over the case. The defense asked for the trial date be moved to Jan. 28, 1991, Coghlan said. DiMarzio approved and Engel signed the court order, he said.

“It’s too close to trial for experts to evaluate the facts and form an expert opinion on the case,” he said.

Coghlan said he did not know what the experts would be hired to evaluate, but said they might testify on the DNA testing used in the case.

Klein could not be reached for comment.

Hooghkirk has been held without bond in the DeKalb County Jail since Jan. 22 when he confessed to Garretson’s Aug. 21, 1988, murder.