UTICA --
The man accused of stabbing his girlfriend's six-year-old daughter to death will have his fate decided by a judge instead of a jury.
The murder trial of David Trebilcock of Sherrill is scheduled to begin on February 6. Trebilcock faces a charge of second degree murder for the death of Lauren Belius.
Assistant District Attorney Dawn Catera Lupi says Oneida County Court Judge Michael Dwyer granted Trebilcock's request to waive his right to a jury trial. Instead, the judge will weigh the evidence in the case and render a verdict in what is called a bench trial.
Trebilcock's attorney says his client was mentally ill when he killed Lauen Belius last summer. He said Jesus Christ made him stab her.
Lupi has previously said she would not accept an insanity plea, and the court ordered Trebilcock to stand trial.
Prosecutors say Trebilcock stabbed Belius in her bedroom on Primo Avenue in Sherrill on July 19. Lauren Belius was the daughter of Trebilcock's girlfriend at the time.
Earlier this month, deputies say Trebilcock was beaten while in the Oneida County Jail. His alleged attacker, Shawn Andrews, faces an assault charge for the incident.
