Montgomery County Judge William Carpenter refused Friday to dismiss charges against 25-year-old James Lee Troutman of Souderton in the death of Skyler Rae Kauffman. He scheduled jury selection for May 21.
Defense attorneys said prosecutors violated Troutman's rights by seizing written material from his prison cell that was meant only for his attorneys. The judge criticized prosecutors for not being more discriminating in choosing documents to take and barred them from using the material, but said they had not violated Troutman's rights.
Authorities say Kauffman was choked and beaten to death and her body dumped in a trash bin outside their apartment complex. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.
