MARION COUNTY — Despite an objection from the prosecution, the jury trial of an 18-year-old Salem man on attempted murder charges has been delayed as the original case is joined with another felony case filed last week.

Tyler Caswell is facing Class X felonies for two counts attempted murder, and two counts aggravated battery with the discharge of a firearm, as well as two counts Class 1 felony aggravated discharge of a firearm, and three Class 4 felonies — two for reckless discharge of a firearm and one for obstruction of justice.

Caswell is accused of shooting 21-year-old Jacob Joyner and 21-year-old Jacob Hayes in January during a dispute at a party in Salem. Both Hayes and Joyner were taken to hospitals in St. Louis for treatment of their injuries. They have since been released.

Caswell was scheduled to be tried on those charges Monday. However, a new case was filed against him last week for a Class 2 felony charge of possessing a stolen firearm.

The defense agreed today with a special prosecutor to join both cases, which resulted in the defense receiving approval for a request to continue the jury trial until April 17.

In the meantime, Caswell remains in the Marion County Jail with bail set at $500,000. Due to a possible conflict of interest, Marion County State’s Attorney Bill Milner recused himself and a special prosecutor has been assigned the case. Caswell hired former Marion County State’s Attorney Matt Wilzbach as his defense attorney.