c/o Fred Beckham/AP

Stephen Morgan, the Massachusetts man charged with the May 2009 murder of Johanna Justin-Jinich ’10 at Broad Street Books, appeared in court Thursday and elected to have a three-judge panel hear his trial instead of a jury. According to the Middletown Press, Morgan arrived at the courthouse in a tan prison jumpsuit. He appeared calm and respectful as he answered questions from Judge Susan Handy.

A unanimous vote from the three judges is not be necessary to convict Morgan, unlike in trial by jury where it is obligatory. Handy, who is expected to be the lead judge on the panel, set the trial to take place over six non-consecutive days beginning Nov. 30 and ending Dec. 14.

The defense will argue that Morgan was mentally ill at the time of the shooting. If he is found guilty of murder and if the judges accept his insanity defense, Morgan could be committed to the state mental hospital for criminals for up to 75 years. If the judges find him guilty of murder but do not accept the insanity defense, he would face 25 to 75 years in prison.