Wichita ? The suburban Wichita man accused of being the BTK serial killer might never stand trial for the deaths of 10 people over 17 years, a newspaper reported Sunday.

Sedgwick County public defender Steve Osburn told The Wichita Eagle that BTK suspect Dennis Rader would plead not guilty next month at his arraignment on 10 counts of first-degree murder, but “We may change that at some point before trial.”

But Osburn, the lead defense lawyer in the case, added that it’s still too early to make that call.

“That is ultimately Mr. Rader’s decision,” Osburn said. “At some point in the next month or two, we’re going to make a decision about whether we really want to go to trial or not.”

The BTK killer, whose nickname stands for “Bind, Torture, Kill,” has been linked to 10 slayings between 1974 and 1991 in the Wichita area.

Rader, 60, of Park City, was arrested Feb. 25 and charged with 10 counts of first-degree murder in those killings. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing April 19 before District Judge Greg Waller.

Rader cannot plea bargain, Osburn and representatives of the district attorney’s office said, and could only change his plea from not guilty to guilty or no contest. The latter plea means the defendant agrees not to fight the charges but does not admit guilt.

If a defendant were to plead guilty, he would have to read a statement admitting he committed the crime, Osburn said.