A second-degree murder trial scheduled to begin today in Coeur d’Alene was postponed after attorneys on Friday agreed to mediate the case.

Court officials said the trial of William C. Carlson, a 43-year-old former Post Falls resident who said he was “standing his ground” when he allegedly shot to death a man who allegedly trespassed and threatened Carlson, could be reset later this spring if mediation is not successful.

Carlson pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder for shooting and killing Tyler S. Liles, 24, with one shot to the chest at close range from a .38 caliber revolver.

Carlson told police that Liles had approached him in the driveway of his Post Falls home in what the defendant thought was an aggressive manner.

Carlson was initially charged with involuntary manslaughter for the Oct. 20, 2018 shooting death, but deputy prosecutors amended the charge.

Carlson’s trial was postponed after a frenzy of pre-trial activity including a series of motions to determine what language should and should not be allowed at the scheduled five-day trial.

Despite a request from Carlson’s attorney that Liles should not be referred to as a “victim” in the jury trial because it would prejudice his client, First District Judge Scott Wayman ruled last week that the term “victim” was acceptable.

Witnesses at Carlson’s preliminary hearing said Liles appeared angry when he walked onto Carlson’s end-of-the road property at 649 S. Gallatin Road west of Post Falls just before dark.

Carlson who suffers from multiple sclerosis, told Liles — who was unarmed and “clearly not right in the head,” according to a witness — that he would stand his ground.

Stand your ground laws have been adopted in several states, including Idaho, establishing a right to use lethal force in the case of a threat.

Defense attorney Sean Walsh said Carlson’s multiple sclerosis prohibited him from protecting himself against Liles.

“He would have lost any fist fight with the 24-year-old that would have occurred,” Walsh said.

After the shooting, Carlson placed his Taurus firearm on the hood of a car and called authorities.

This month’s delay is the second so far. The trial was initially set for November in Coeur d’Alene, but was continued until this week before Friday’s decision to seek mediation.