Judge Frederick Mercurio of the 12th Circuit granted a second motion July 8 to continue a trial for Holmes Beach resident Douglas Naeher’s alleged attempted murder of his wife, Stephanie Naeher.
According to arrest documents, Naeher, 61, allegedly struck his wife multiple times and tried to drown her July 20, 2025, while they were boating.
Stephanie Naeher told police that her husband tried to leave her in the water, but she managed to climb back aboard the boat, at which point he continued to batter her.
Later, when the boat slowed to approach a dock in the 58th Street canal, Stephanie Naeher jumped off and ran to the Holmes Beach Police Department, 5801 Marina Drive, near their home.
Douglas Naeher was arrested the next day. He faces three felony charges, including attempted murder in the first degree.
A trial period was set for May but continued to July. The defendant moved again on July 1 to continue the trial.
Mercurio granted that motion and removed the case from the court’s upcoming trial docket.
Mercurio also granted in part and denied in part the defendant’s motion in limine, which is Latin for “at the threshold.”
The motion asked the judge to exclude seven items from trial, including testimony for the state by licensed clinical social worker Concetta Holmes and multiple statements prepared for closing arguments.
However, a written order was not available at press time, and it was unclear which parts of Naeher’s motion were granted.
A case management hearing will be Aug. 27 at the Manatee County Judicial Center, 1051 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.