The two remaining defendants in the Pali Golf Course murder case are now scheduled to go to trial Jan. 21, more than five years after the crimes occurred.

Federal District Judge Susan Oki Mollway yesterday ordered the trial moved from its Oct. 21 start date to next year after defendant Ethan "Malu" Motta asked for and received permission to change attorneys.

The reasons for appointing the new defense lawyer were contained in a sealed motion filed by Motta's current defense lawyer, Todd Eddins.

Both Motta and co-defendant Rodney Joseph Jr. agreed to waive their rights to a speedy trial in a brief hearing before Mollway yesterday afternoon.

They are charged with participating in a racketeering enterprise that used violence, extortion and robbery to control illegal gambling businesses on O'ahu.

Earlier this week, Mollway accepted a guilty plea from the third defendant in the case, Kevin "Poncho" Gonsalves. Under the terms of his plea deal with the government, he faces 271/2 years in prison for his part in the racketeering organization.

Gonsalves' plea agreement specifically says that he will not testify against his co-defendants.

The defendants are accused of shooting three men in the parking lot of the golf course Jan. 7, 2004, in a dispute over control of gambling "houses" in Honolulu.

Two of the victims, Lepo Utu Taliese and Romilius Corpuz Jr., died. The third, Tinoimalu Sao, was shot in the head but recovered.