However Judge Giovanni Puliatti postponed the hearing to July 17th because of a strike by lawyers over a long-running dispute with the Justice Ministry over proposed reforms.
The sole defendant, Francesco Schettino, faces charges of multiple manslaughter, ship abandoning and causing the shipwreck.
Schettino has denied wrongdoing.
Prosecutors contend that on the night of January 13th, 2012, Schettino steered the ship too close to the island's coastline in a publicity stunt for Costa Crociere and accidentally rammed the jagged reef. The cruise company denies that scenario.
A recording of a phone conversation between Schettino and an exasperated Italian coast guard official who repeatedly ordered the captain in vain to scramble back aboard the ship to direct the evacuation was played again and again in broadcasts around the world.
In interviews, Schettino insisted he is no coward. He claimed he had to leave the capsizing boat before it was impossible to launch any more lifeboats and that in the darkness he didn't see a ladder he could have used to climb back aboard.
