The trial of former adult film actress Mercedes Carrera and her husband, Daemon Cris, has been postponed yet again. In two months, Mercedes Carrera and her husband will have been behind bars for six years, and they have yet to go to trial. That’s a long time to be behind bars for a crime you are not yet convicted of.

Originally scheduled for October 7, 2024, the new trial date is now set for December 6, 2024, in the San Bernardino County Superior Court, presided over by Judge Katrina West. This marks the latest in a series of delays that have plagued the case since the couple’s arrest in February 2019.

Carrera and Cris face eleven counts of felony sexual abuse charges related to PC 288.7(a) and PC 288.7(b), involving sexual acts with a minor under the age of ten. The alleged victim is Carrera’s daughter from a previous marriage. Initial charges related to drug possession and possession of a firearm while in possession of a controlled substance were subsequently dropped. Cris faces an additional charge of possessing a weapon while incarcerated.

The allegations stem from a 75-minute audio recording of an interview conducted with the minor by a San Bernardino Sheriff’s deputy in January 2019. In the recording, the child detailed alleged instances of sexual abuse, referring to them as “cuddle sessions.” The couple’s apartment, also used for adult film production, became a focus of the investigation. The presence of the child in the apartment during filming, though reportedly in a separate room, along with the discovery of drugs and firearms during a search warrant execution, contributed to the disturbing backdrop of the allegations.

Carrera has consistently denied the accusations, claiming they are a fabrication by her ex-husband, whom she characterizes as a “fundamentalist Christian” seeking to gain custody of their daughter.

The protracted legal proceedings have been marked by numerous continuances and procedural maneuvers, primarily initiated by the defense. Most recently, a motion to suppress evidence filed by Carrera’s attorney was denied on November 11, 2024, contributing to the latest delay. The case has incurred significant costs for the state of California due to the extended pre-trial period and the numerous court appearances. In 2024 alone, fifteen hearings have been held, with another scheduled for December 17.

If the upcoming trial proceeds as planned in December, it will be pivotal. Given that convictions under PC 288.7 carry severe penalties, including mandatory lifetime sex offender registration and sentences ranging from 15 years to life imprisonment, the stakes are exceptionally high for Carrera and Cris.

The “super strike” nature of these offenses means a life sentence is possible regardless of prior convictions. The trial is expected to delve into the details of the allegations, the evidence collected, and the credibility of the testimonies. The outcome will significantly impact the lives of all involved, particularly the minor at the center of the allegations.

The December trial date, while currently scheduled, remains subject to potential further delays, given the history of the case.

That being said, it’s likely that 2025 will be the year we see the Mercedes Carrera finally go to trial.