Murder defendant Nicholas Moore's trial is expected to take four to five months for the defense to argue its case in chief. 

Moore stands accused in the murder of Michael Castro.

He appeared before Judge Maria Cenzon in superior court today. 

The case is nearly four years old. 

Trial is now expected to be sometime in August. 

Prosecutors say they expect to call 10 to 15 witnesses. 

Defense intends to call upwards of 50 witnesses, taking up majority of the estimated time at trial. 

Among the witnesses, Eric Salone, who was arrested in Moore's separate drive-by shooting case.