Nurse accused in Kajouji death forfeiting right to jury trial

The man accused of encouraging Ottawa student Nadia Kajouji and another man to take their own lives is forfeiting his right to a jury trial.

William Melchert-Dinkel, a former nurse from Minnesota, will now face a decision of guilt or innocence from a Minneapolis judge alone.

He is accused of having online chats with Kajouji in which he allegedly encouraged the 18-year-old Carleton University student to commit suicide. Kajouji drowned after jumping into the Rideau River in the winter of 2008.

Melchert-Dinkel also faces charges related to the suicide of a man in England.

A hearing on Melchert-Dinkel's plea for a judge-only trial is scheduled for Feb. 17.

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  In a photo made Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009 in Faribault, Minn., William Melchert-Dinkel is shown. Police say Melchert-Dinkel posed as a female nurse on Internet suicide chat rooms offering "expert knowledge" on the most effective way to commit suicide. (AP Photo/Robb Long)

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  In this undated file photo provided by Nadia Kajouji's mother, Deborah Chevalier, Nadia is shown. Minnesota authorities say at least two people died,because of a male nurse, William Melchert-Dinkel, who posed as a female nurse on Internet suicide chat rooms. (AP Photo)