The trial for the man accused of kidnapping University of Illinois visiting scholar Yingying Zhang will go on as scheduled.
On Wednesday, Federal Judge Colin Bruce denied a defense motion to delay the trial of Brendt Christensen. He’s the man accused of kidnapping Zhang and causing her death.
Zhang disappeared June 9, and her body has not been found.
Christensen’s jury trial is scheduled to begin February 27, 2018, but his federal public defender asked for more time to prepare a defense. His client could face the death penalty.
But, Judge Bruce ordered the trial to proceed without delay.
The judge also ordered the U.S., Justice Department to notify the court and Christensen by February 1, if prosecutors plan to seek the death penalty.