I have never really kept up with how long it takes, but I would imagine at least one year. No one has mentioned psychological evaluations. I would think he would have those done in light of some of the bizarre buzz about some aspects of the case.
They may want to get their own DNA expert once they are produced their discovery. That will take more time.
His team may contest the validity of the search warrant, so that could involved months of time. The day they released the SW of JW's apt., WTVD reported that there were problems with the SW based on what some local attorneys had reported to them.
I think there was a post here that said JW's court appointed attorney in Greenville was good friends with the victim's family. I'm not sure how that would pan out. Even if JW says he's okay with it, if he is convicted, he could turn around and claim ineffective counsel at his trial and say it was because of that family friendship. Why did they pick someone from Greenville do you think?