HUTCHINSON, Kan. — During a motion hearing in a felony murder case Friday, Reno County District Judge Trish Rose granted a state’s motion over a possible self-defense argument at trial.

Brennan Trass is accused in the shooting death of 24-year-old Jose Morales, who was found on the floor of a residence back on Aug. 17, 2015, with multiple gunshot wounds.

Judge Trish Rose agreed with the states argument that the defense cannot present that argument because when another dangerous crime is occurring. In this case, the state argues that the defendant and the victim were engaged in some type of drug transaction when Trass started shooting.

Deputy District Attorney Tom Stanton noted that had the ruling gone the other way, he was prepared to amend the complaint adding a lesser included charge of intentional second-degree murder.

The trial as it stands now is scheduled to begin on April 9.