(Blair, NE) – The case of a 43-year-old Sioux City, Iowa man accused of killing a Nebraska priest will go to trial next month. Kierre Williams, who is charged with first-degree murder, was bound over to district court during an appearance in Washington County, NE, court Wednesday.

Williams is also accused of using a deadly weapon to commit a felony, burglary, and possession of a weapon by a prohibited person in the killing of Rev. Stephen Gutgsell. Gutgsell was killed during a break-in at the rectory of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in December. Deputies received a 911 call from Gutgsell, who, according to court documents, said there was a man armed with a knife in his kitchen. Within minutes, deputies arrived and found Williams inside the church rectory, along with the priest. Court documents say the responding deputy found Gutgsell near the kitchen in the rectory. He appeared to had a severe laceration and was bleeding profusely. Father Gutgsell was taken to Nebraska Medicine in Omaha, where he died.

Williams is scheduled to appear in court next on Feb. 6. He remains held in the Washington, County, NE, jail.