Court to Play Former Roommate Testimony in Murder Preliminary Hearing

A judge ruled Wednesday that taped testimony from the accused's former roommate and lover will be played publicly during the preliminary hearing with some portions redacted. The hearing concerns whether prosecutors have shown enough evidence to advance the case to trial.

Prosecutors say the testimony includes statements that the accused described the killing to the witness. Defense lawyers argued that presenting the testimony would portray it as a confession and endanger the right to a fair trial. Lawyers for media organizations and the victim's family urged the court to allow the testimony to be released publicly.

During earlier sessions this week, prosecutors showed DNA samples they say link the accused to a towel and rifle recovered near the scene. An FBI analyst testified about the DNA findings. Surveillance videos from the campus on the day of the incident were also played, along with footage of the incident itself.

Some graphic portions were shown only to the judge and witnesses. A former campus police officer described efforts to secure the area after the incident, stating that personnel pushed people away from the courtyard to preserve evidence.

The preliminary hearing began Monday and is scheduled to continue through Friday. The accused has not yet entered a plea. The maximum penalty for the charges includes the death penalty, which prosecutors have said they intend to pursue. A motion to remove that possibility was denied last month.