A judge will allow a man’s potentially incriminating statements to police to be presented as evidence at an upcoming murder trial.

Christopher Belone made unsolicited remarks to police detectives in August while they were collecting his DNA at the Douglas County Jail.

On a recording played Thursday in Douglas County District Court, Belone can be heard twice asking whether he needed his attorney.

Police told him his attorney didn’t need to be present because they were executing a search warrant.

At the conclusion of the warrant, Belone made unsolicited statements to police relating to the death of his 37-year-old girlfriend, Linda Begay.

Despite objections by the defense, Judge Jack Murphy ruled Thursday that jurors will be allowed to hear a portion of those comments.

Murphy also ruled that both sides will be able to present evidence of past abuse by the victim and suspect.

Belone is charged with second-degree murder, kidnapping and obstruction in connection with the death of Begay, who died days after she was attacked over the summer at the Gaslight Village mobile home park.

The case is scheduled to go to trial March 12.