The trial of an Alabama police officer charged with murder in an on-duty shooting is being delayed because of the pandemic.

A judge has postponed the case of Huntsville police officer William Darby, WHNT-TV reported Friday. He was set to go on trial Feb. 22 in the killing of Jeffery Parker in 2018.

The trial already has been delayed several times, and Circuit Judge Donna Pate did not set a new date as the case was put off with other trials because of the coronavirus threat.

Authorities say Parker was suicidal and holding a gun to his own head when Darby shot him.

A police review board cleared Darby in the killing and city leaders have defended the officer, but a grand jury indicted him on the murder charge about six months after the killing. Darby has testified during a hearing that he did what he had to do to protect himself and fellow officers.

District Attorney Rob Broussard has said the shooting was not justified.