A St. John’s woman will stand trial for murder in the hit-and-run death of a St. John’s man, albeit not until 2027.

Thirty-seven-year-old Kayla Isaacs was charged a day after 41-year-old Bill Pearce was run down in the center of the city.

It happened on a Friday afternoon, on August 16th of last year, at the intersection of Mount Royal and Golf Avenue.

It’s alleged Isaacs was driving a grey Honda Civic when she struck Pearce and sped away leaving him on the road with serious injuries. She was tracked down and arrested the next day and charged with attempted murder, failing to stop after an accident and dangerous driving.

The victim clung to life for a week before succumbing to his injuries in hospital, leading to the more serious charge of second-degree murder, in addition to dangerous driving causing death and failing to stop and stay at the scene.

There was a preliminary inquiry which found there was enough evidence for a trial, at which time a publication ban on Isaacs’ identity was also lifted.

In Supreme Court this morning, lawyers and the court struggled to find five continuous weeks for the jury trial, eventually landing on Jan. 11th of 2027.

Police have said Isaacs and Pearce knew each other but their precise relationship has yet to be disclosed in open court.

Isaacs’ voice cracked as she formally pleaded not guilty this morning.

She remains free on conditions until the trial in 14 months’ time.