POCATELLO, Idaho (AP) — A man accused of stabbing a 25-year-old woman to death in 2004 has pleaded not guilty.

KIFI-TV in Idaho Falls reports that Brad Compher was arraigned Monday on a first-degree murder charge in the death of Nori Jones. The trial begins next April. Bannock County Chief Deputy Prosecutor Zack Parris said the trial date is far off so that the attorneys have time to arrange expert testimony on forensic evidence.

Compher was arrested in September after police said DNA evidence and a fingerprint linked him to the killing of Jones. Her body was discovered Sept. 28, 2004, in her Pocatello home by co-workers when she didn't report for work.

During the preliminary hearing, a DNA expert testified that DNA samples from a sexual assault kit matched the 40-year-old Compher.

More From 98.3 The Snake