The murder trial of Jessica Mae Hardin has been scheduled for early next year (2016).

According to an order from Judge William Ogletree, she will go to trial on February 22nd, in connection with the death of her step-daughter, Savannah, back in 2012.

In February of that year the nine year old was forced to run non-stop for some three hours, by her grandmother Joyce Hardin Garrard, reportedly as punishment for lying about eating a candy bar on the school bus.

This past March, Garrard was found guilty of capital murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole, for her role in Savannah’s death; Jessica Mae Hardin had been charged with murder due to the fact that she failed to intervene and stop the punishment before the child collapsed. Savannah was taken to an area hospital and she died three days later.

Hardin’s lawyers continue to proclaim her innocence.

(al.com/www.al.com)