COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The domestic violence trial of Steelers No. 1 draft pick Santonio Holmes has been postponed more than three months while talks continue about a possible deal that might involve counseling provided through either the Steelers or the NFL.

Peter Diana, Post-Gazette Santonio Holmes' trial in Columbus, Ohio, has been postponed more than three months.

The 22-year-old wide receiver and former Ohio State University standout made a brief appearance yesterday morning before Franklin County Municipal Judge Michael T. Brandt, who warned there would be no further delays in the case, now set for trial Dec. 4.

Holmes faces domestic violence and assault charges in connection with a June 19 incident involving LaShae Boone, his Columbus girlfriend and the mother of one of his three children. The domestic violence charge is a first-degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to six months in prison, but it is unlikely he would face jail time.

Prosecution of the case has been complicated by Boone's reluctance to testify against Holmes, who is expected to play in the Steelers' final preseason game tonight against the Carolina Panthers at Heinz Field.

Bill Meeks, one of Holmes' attorneys, declined to talk about the counseling program.

"I'm aware of it, but I'm not going to discuss that with you," he said.

"That's not part of the discussion that we're having. That's a matter with the NFL and their particular players."

But Stephen McIntosh, chief city prosecutor, said details of the program are one of the holdups in a case that he doesn't expect to reach a jury.

"That's one of the things we need, more specific information about what is going to be required of him as he goes through the program," he said.

"I don't know if it's a Steelers program. I don't know if it's an NFL program.

"I don't know if it's through a private organization. The more information that they're able to provide to us, then that will at least alleviate some of our concerns as to whether or not he is truly dealing with the situation."

Wearing a silver-gray open shirt and pants and earring, Holmes did not speak to Judge Brandt and did not speak to reporters as he left the courthouse. Boone sat outside the courtroom with their 7-month-old daughter, Shaniya.

Boone has told the prosecution she wants charges to be dropped. But the prosecution has the 911 call she made that night and a statement she gave police in which she accused Holmes of "choking [her], throwing her to the ground, grabbing her arms, and slamming her into a door, leaving her with bruises, pain, and a torn shirt."

"We would subpoena her and place her on the witness stand," said McIntosh. "How strong a witness she would be for us would be the issue.

"Then we would have to debate the issue of contempt."