ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. – The trial for a man charged in a 2022 fireworks home explosion that claimed the lives of four people was slated to begin Monday. However, the trial was pushed back to the summer after prosecutors received word of new evidence being introduced to the case.

Terrell Cooks is charged with three counts of second-degree murder, two counts of unlawful possession of an illegal weapon, one count of possession of a controlled substance, first-degree endangering the welfare of a child, and first-degree endangering the welfare of a child resulting in death.

The explosion happened around 1:30 a.m. on June 17, 2022, in the 6600 block of Parker Road, located in unincorporated north St. Louis County.

Eighteen-year-old Damario Cooks and his cousin, 16-year-old Travell Eason, lived at the home and died in the explosions. Their friends, 21-year-old William Jones and 17-year-old Christopher Jones, were also killed. Another minor was injured.

Cooks was one of three people arrested and charged in connection with the explosion. Investigators determined Cooks and a co-defendant, Seneca Mahan, had directed the victims to manufacture explosive materials from fireworks and alleged that led to a fire and an explosion.

The trial was rescheduled for July 7. The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office believes the trial will take five days.

In January, Mahan pleaded guilty to three counts of first-degree involuntary manslaughter, first-degree endangering the welfare of a child resulting in death, first-degree endangering the welfare of a child creating substantial risk of serious injury or death, and unlawful manufacturing of an illegal weapon.

Prosecutors recommended the court impose a punishment of 30 years in prison. Mahan will be sentenced on April 4.