The man accused of killing the mother of his infant child inside her Ansonia home will head to trial nearly five years after the crime.

Jose Morales, charged with the murder of Christine Holloway, appeared in Milford Superior Court Tuesday where Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney Howard Stein asked the judge to put the case on the trial list. Morales was previously offered a plea deal, but Stein told the judge both sides were “still a substantial distance apart in reaching a resolution.” Details of the offer weren’t put on the record and attorneys wouldn’t comment.

“Myself and the family are content with going to trial because now we can prove that Jose committed the crime, and there will be justice for my sister-in-law, Christine,” Jodi Jacobellis told News 12 after the brief hearing. “It's been a long 4 ½ years to get to this point.” In December 2019, Ansonia police discovered Holloway beaten to death in her home and no sign of 1-year-old Vanessa Morales. Vanessa’s father is suspected in her disappearance, but Morales has only been charged with Holloway’s murder. He’s been in custody for over four years.

Several of Holloway’s family members were in court Tuesday morning and saw Morales walk in smiling and wave to the judge. Jacobellis said the sight just added to the continued frustration family has.

“That's part of the anger because he, in his mind—I already know—he thinks he's going to get away with it,” Jacobellis said.

It’s been an emotional road for Holloway’s family, some of whom cried and hugged outside the courthouse. Jacobellis explained people had come from out of town and would’ve liked to “speak their mind” in court.

News 12 asked if they’d been expecting Morales to take a plea deal during the hearing, but Jacobellis said the family didn’t know what was going to happen. She claimed they haven’t heard from the state’s attorney’s office in over one year.

“To be treated like we are nothing and that my sister in law's case is nothing, it's very aggravating. And here we are fighting for my sister-in-law and my niece,” Jacobellis stated. Vanessa still hasn't been found, but Ansonia police said they continue to look for her.

“The hurt we live with every day, searching for our niece when there's no answers,” explained Jacobellis tearing up.

Jacobellis also said the only deal the family would’ve accepted was substantial prison time and information about where Vanessa is.

With the case on the trial list, Morales will get 24 to 48 hours’ notice before jury selection begins.

Morales’ attorney, Ed Gavin, had no comment after court.

News 12 reached out to the Chief State’s Attorney’s Office following Jacobellis’ interview and is waiting to hear back.