Texas attack survivor's $500M lawsuit against David Strickland gets new trial date

A new trial has been scheduled for Aug. 22 in a South Texas attack survivor's multimillion-dollar lawsuit against her convicted assailant, David Strickland, according to San Patricio County court records.

Mary Kristene Chapa — who was critically injured in the 2012 attack at a Portland park that killed her girlfriend, Mollie Olgin — initially filed the lawsuit against Strickland, Strickland's father and the family's business, Taft Pharmacy, in April 2017.

Larry Strickland and Taft Pharmacy, however, have since been dropped from the lawsuit, according to court records.

The new trial date is the first since the last trial was canceled in early March. Four trial dates have been canceled since 2019.

More: A documentary on Portland attack survivor Kristene Chapa is coming. Here's what to know

Chapa, who developed tunnel vision, lost part of her mobility and continues to undergo extensive physical rehabilitation and medical treatment due to the attack, is seeking at least $500 million in damages from Strickland.

Strickland, in 2016, was found guilty of capital murder by a San Patricio County jury in connection with the attack.

More: Dateline NBC reexamines David Strickland's conviction for fatal attack in Portland

Since then, however, his lawyer in the criminal case, Cynthia Orr, has argued DNA testing of a pubic hair found on Chapa could help exonerate Strickland.

More: Could David Strickland be exonerated in 2012 Portland double shooting? Here's the latest.

Strickland, who maintains his innocence — despite his conviction — claims a Nevada man, whose DNA was found at the scene of the 2012 attack, was actually responsible for the crime.

Kailey E. Hunt covers breaking news and public safety in South Texas. Help support more local coverage with a subscription at caller.com/subscribe.

This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Survivor's $500M lawsuit against David Strickland moves forward