LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — A 49-year-old Eudora health care attendant has pleaded not guilty after a judge ordered him to stand trial for murder.

Ronald Eugene Heskett is charged with premeditated first-degree murder in the Sept. 11, 2014, asphyxiation death of 65-year-old Vance Moulton, who had cerebral palsy.

The Lawrence Journal-World reports Heskett was Moulton’s home health care provider, and contends the act was an assisted suicide.

Douglas County District Judge Peggy Kittel ruled Friday that there was probable cause a crime occurred and bound Heskett over for trial.

Heskett pleaded not guilty.

Kittel said she based her decision on testimony from a preliminary hearing, Heskett’s admission to assisting Moulton’s death, and “suspicious financial dealings that would give the defendant motive” to commit murder.