FAYETTEVILLE (AP) — The trial for a man accused of hitting a protester at a Donald Trump rally in North Carolina earlier this year has been delayed until after the presidential election.

The Fayetteville Observer reports a defense attorney asked for a delay for 79-year-old John Franklin McGraw, who had been scheduled to stand trial Wednesday.

Defense attorney James C. MacRae Jr. filed the request June 30, saying he needed more time to prepare for trial.

Prosecutor Bella Truong agreed to MacRae’s request and District Court Judge Tal Baggett set the new trial date for Dec. 14.

The Linden man is accused of hitting Rakeem Jones as Cumberland County sheriff’s deputies were removing Jones from the Trump rally in Fayetteville on March 9. McCraw is charged with assault and battery, disorderly conduct and communicating a threat.