LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — A 48-year-old northeast Kansas man accused of killing a disabled 65-year-old in his care has rejected a plea offer from prosecutors.

The Lawrence Journal-World  reports Ronald Eugene Heskett claims the Sept. 12, 2014, death of Vance Moulton was the result of an assisted suicide, not murder.

Prosecutors say the health aide from Eudora killed Moulton, who had cerebral palsy and limited mobility, for financial reasons.

Moulton was found dead in his Lawrence residence with a towel around his neck.

Assistant prosecutor Eve Kemple told a judge on Friday that she had offered Heskett the chance to plead guilty to murder in exchange for the opportunity to argue mitigating factors at sentencing.

Heskett instead opted to try his case before a jury. His trial is scheduled to begin Sept. 14.