MOUNT PLEASANT (AP) -- A central Michigan minister charged with killing a young female neighbor in her mobile home is heading for trial after waiving his right to a preliminary examination.
Fifty-five-year-old John D. White agreed Wednesday to forgo the hearing and proceed to trial on a first-degree murder charge. A pretrial hearing is scheduled Feb. 25 in Isabella County Circuit Court in Mount Pleasant.
White is an ex-convict who settled outside Mount Pleasant and became pastor of a tiny church, Christ Community Fellowship. Police say he confessed to killing 24-year-old Rebekah Gay as part of a sexual fantasy.
Police say White babysat for Gay's 3-year-old son, who was asleep at home during the killing.
Authorities say White bludgeoned and strangled Gay on Oct. 31, and dumped her nude body in the woods.
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