The case against the 17-year-old accused of stabbing a local woman who was house-sitting in April 2024 was continued for another month during a status conference Wednesday.

The continuance comes after 14th Judicial District Court Chief Judge Brittany Schneider ruled he will be tried as an adult earlier this month.

The juvenile, Holt LeMaster of Steamboat Springs, was arrested after allegedly breaking into a home on Mark Twain Court where a local teacher, Kylie Leggett, 29, was house-sitting. Upon entering the home, LeMaster allegedly stabbed Leggett twice in the abdomen.

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LeMaster is charged with criminal attempt to commit murder in the second degree, assault in the first degree, criminal attempt to commit first-degree burglary, among other charges, according to a court order issued by Schneider.

During Wednesday’s status conference, LeMaster’s attorney, Public Defender Kate Bush, requested a month’s continuance, stating that the defense was not ready to enter a plea deal.

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According to Deputy District Attorney Joseph Bucci, the prosecution and defense have “started negotiations” and they need more time to “hammer out an agreement.”

LeMaster appeared virtually for the status conference from Grand Mesa Youth Services in Grand Junction, where he is being held without bond. According to Bush, LeMaster is going through “programming” at the detention facility and will continue to appear virtually for procedural hearings.

The status conference marked LeMaster’s first court appearance as an adult, nearly a year after prosecutors initially filed a petition to transfer the juvenile’s case to the district court.

“I’m so happy we finally have an answer,” Leggett said earlier this month following the ruling. “I have not received any good news throughout this journey, and it’s been almost a year. I’ve truly been knocked down every single day. This is the first time I have good news.”

For Leggett, Wednesday’s status conference was merely another disappointment following the victory of the ruling.

“As I have said before, since April 23, 2024, the medical and legal sides to this situation have always been a wild roller coaster,” said Leggett after the status conference.

Leggett continues to deal with the mental and physical aftermath of the incident. According to the court order regarding probable cause and transfer, Leggett cannot eat normally or have children because of the stabbing.

“Visits to the hospital and medications have become a part of what she describes as the ‘new normal’ she is trying to find, all while dealing with trauma and fear that keeps her awake and night,” states the court order.

After almost a year of a complicated legal battle, Leggett is ready to put the past behind her.

“I live in uncertainty every single day,” said Leggett. “I am not surprised this is being delayed again. I just want closure for myself and the community.”

LeMaster’s next court appearance is scheduled for 2 p.m. May 11.

To donate to Leggett’s GoFundMe dedicated to her recovery, visit GoFundMe.com/f/Support-Kylies-Road-To-Recovery.