Terrance Black, who is charged with the capital murder of Wichita Falls native Susan Miller Loper, learned today his jury trial will begin August 20, 2012.
Capital murder means he will either receive life or death if convicted and nothing less.
Collin County prosecutors have not yet decided whether or not they will seek the death penalty.
The body of Susan Miller Loper was found on April 20, 2011.
Terrance Black, a former boyfriend, was arrested two days later after he fled to Arizona in his Escalade.
He attracted the attention of park rangers while he was panhandling near the Grand Canyon. He may be the most affluent seeker of handouts in history.
Black added even more drama to this tragic case when he jumped off the edge of the South Rim of the Grand Canyon as he was approached by park rangers following Susan's murder.
He lucked out when he landed on a ledge 25 feet below rather than falling to certain death at the bottom of the canyon.
After fighting to remain in his jail cell in Arizona following his leap, he was extradited to Texas on June 28, 2011 to face trial.
Susan Miller Loper was a 1989 graduate of Wichita Falls Rider High School and was multi-talented.
Her parents and many friends still reside in Wichita Falls.
She was in several off-Broadway plays in New York City before moving to Plano where she worked as a physical fitness instructor the the Plano Gleneagles Country Club.
Ms. Loper was on the verge of achieving a lifetime goal the next day when she mysteriously disappeared from the country club.
She was to begin her own business when she was brutally murdered and her body left in a wooded area off the Dallas Tollway.
Her business partner David Greene said they were supposed to open up their new physical fitness center the day she disappeared.
Greene,Willowbend Fitness CEO, said he was shocked when he first heard of her murder.
He said she had a wonderful vision for the new business, and he was excited to be a part of it.
Wichita Falls resident Marla Malone, who was Susan's best friend, said everyone who met her liked her.
Terrance Black, who owned a $250,000 home in Plano, was a suspect, and he fled west as law enoforcement officers searched for him.
Lost in the drama of Black's flight from Texas justice and upcoming trial is an important person.
Susan Miller Loper left behind an eight-year old son named Jake.
A memorial fund to help take care of him has been set up.
Anyone interested in contributing to this worthwhile fund may make contributions.
Donations should be made to the Jake Loper Trust c/o Ferguson Law Group, 2500 Dallas Parkway, Suite 260, Plano, Texas 75093.
Another close friend of Susan's is Julie Mitchell who said that " Jake is a very special boy and we'll always make sure he has attention. But it will never be the same."
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