ELMIRA, N.Y. (WENY) -- One of the men involved in the torture and murder of a man in Elmira in 2021 was supposed to be sentenced on Friday, September 29th, but that didn't happen.

Malik Weems appeared in Chemung County court Friday afternoon after he pleaded guilty in May to second-degree murder. However, the judge granted a request to adjourn the sentencing until December.

Weems is one of four men involved in the torture and murder of 38-year-old Juan Jose Gotay of New York City.

Chemung County District Attorney Weeden Wetmore hosted a press conference in October 2021 along with other representatives from local law enforcement agencies.

According to authorities, Juan Jose Gotay was attacked by his assailants in Elmira, around January 29th or 30th. Court documents detail the gruesome details of Gotay's killing. Indictments of the suspects allege Gotay was shot in the shoulder and leg, repeatedly kicked and hit about the face and body, causing broken ribs, fingers, and injuries to the face. They are also accused of mutilating Gotay's face and body, burning him, and binding him with an electrical cord before he was dumped and left to die in a remote area near Coudersport, Pennsylvania. 

Gotay's body was discovered in April, which launched the murder investigation and eventually led authorities back to Elmira. Much of the investigation has been centered around two homes, located at 427 Partridge Street and 319 West Avenue, where the alleged beating and torture of Gotay took place. 

"There was no missing persons investigation initiated [or] commenced. It wasn’t until events transpired in April that prompted police to start exchanging information," Wetmore said.

Four people have been indicted in connection to Gotay's murder. Three men, including Thomas Bovaird, 21, of Horseheads, Eddie Marte, 25, of New York City, and Malik Weems, 18, of Pittsburgh, were each indicted on charges of first-degree murder, first-degree kidnapping, first-degree assault, and three counts of second-degree assault.

Weems faces 18 years to life in prison. His sentencing date was pushed back to December 8th.