A Paulding County judge has ordered the state to pay $26,745 for the defense of accused Silver Comet Trail killer Michael William Ledford. In an order signed Monday, Superior Court Judge James Osborne said Ledford's death-penalty trial is set to begin April 13. Ledford's lawyers, investigator and mitigation expert have submitted bills that are "appropriate and reasonable" and need to be paid, he wrote. Ledford is charged with the July 25, 2006, sexual assault and murder of Jennifer Ewing, a mother of three who was biking on the Silver Comet Trail. She fought back so fiercely, investigators said, his blood was found on her bicycle.