CLEVELAND — Lawyers for a man accused of killing a postal worker in Warren want to postpone a witness interview set for next week, blaming money problems and travel troubles caused by the ongoing U.S. government shutdown.

The defendants, Thomas Sledge, 44, of Youngstown, and Kaprise Sledge, 24, of Warren, are set for a Feb. 17, 2026, trial date for the March 2, 2024, shooting death of Jonte Davis, a 33-year-old mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service.

The notice was filed by attorneys representing Thomas Sledge in the courtroom of United States District Court Judge Donald C. Nugent.

Lawyers for Thomas Sledge asked to delay a deposition where lawyers question a witness under oath that was planned for Nov. 17. A pre-trial date had been set for Dec. 18.

The lawyers argued in court documents that the shutdown has stopped payments to defense teams under a program called the Criminal Justice Act. Funding for that ran out in early July, and back pay expected in October got delayed. They also expressed worry about staff from the Federal Public Defender’s office, who might be sent home without pay because court funding ended Oct. 17. Plus, big delays and cancellations in flights across the country make travel hard and unreliable.

The judge has not yet ruled on the matter.

The shutdown, which started Oct. 1, has left many federal workers without pay and slowed down court operations.

As of Tuesday, the Senate passed a bill late Monday to end the shutdown and fund the government again. The House is expected to vote on it soon, possibly as early as today. If it passes and President Donald Trump signs it, the government could reopen quickly.

Nugent previously turned down a request to push back the trial, saying he wants a fair and quick end to the case for everyone involved.

The case revolves around the shooting death of Davis while delivering mail along Washington Street and Olive Street NE. Witnesses heard gunshots and found him inside his postal van.

Thomas Sledge and Kaprise Sledge were charged in October 2024 with murdering a federal employee and firing a gun during a violent crime. If found guilty of first-degree murder, they could face life in prison. The gun charge could add at least 10 more years.