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Christopher Wilson, the 20-year-old charged with murder in the death of his friend, Berkeley High graduate Meleia Willis-Starbuck, was given a three-week extension to enter a plea. 

At Wilson’s request, Superior Court Judge Winfred Scott on Monday held over the plea hearing until Oct. 4. She also revised the terms of Wilson’s bail so that he can attend an evening class at Vista College. 

Wilson’s attorney, Elizabeth Grossman, said after the hearing that the postponement was necessary because she was still receiving new police reports and video statements. 

She added that Wilson intended to plead “not guilty” to the charge of homicide. 

Police say that last July when Willis-Starbuck, a 19-year-old Dartmouth sophomore, and her friends became embroiled in a late-night dispute with several men on College Avenue, she called Christopher Hollis and asked him to “bring the heat.”  

According to police, Wilson drove Hollis to the corner of College and Dwight Way, where Hollis jumped out of the car and fired shots into the crowd, striking only Willis-Starbuck. 

Hollis, 21, remains at large. Asked if Hollis’ disappearance might impact Wilson’s defense, Grossman replied, “I think it would be best for Mr. Hollis to come forward.”  

In July, Wilson was released on $326,000 bail to the custody of Robin Baker and Ralph Silber, the parents of a friend. After appearing before the court two previous times in shackles and a prison jump suit, Wilson seemed relaxed Monday, wearing a black shirt and tie. He smiled often and spoke with several with several of about 15 friends in the court room as they waited for the hearing to begin. 

Baker said after the hearing that besides studying at Vista, Wilson, who had attended Cabrillo College in Aptos, is also doing community service work. 

“I think he’s handling himself as well as possible,” she said. “He’s doing what he can to get through this somehow. We’re all heartbroken about what’s happened.”