Sarah B. Gonzales McLinn

After close questioning by a judge, a Lawrence teen charged with first-degree murder in the slaying of her former roommate officially waived her right to a speedy trial on Thursday.

Sarah B. Gonzales McLinn, 19, originally scheduled for an August trial, is now scheduled to stand trial on Jan. 5. Douglas County District Judge Paula Martin has set aside five days for the trial.

McLinn is accused of killing Lawrence businessman Harold M. Sasko, 52, with whom McLinn had lived at 2905 W. 26th St. and for whom she had once worked at one of Sasko’s Cici’s Pizza franchises.

McLinn’s attorney, Carl Cornwell, plans to argue that McLinn should not be found guilty of first-degree murder by reason of mental disease or defect. Cornwell has until Sept. 1 to provide a report on the mental disease defense to Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson.

Prosecutors allege that in mid-January McLinn drugged Sasko at his home, then cut his throat with a large hunting knife, nearly decapitating him. They say she then stole Sasko’s car and fled to Florida, where she was apprehended. McLinn’s attorney says she has never denied committing the crime but that her actions are attributable to mental illness.

The next court proceeding at 10 a.m. on July 3 will be a Jackson v. Denno hearing, which will be used to determine whether the recordings of McLinn’s confession can be used as evidence during the trial. Cornwell told Martin Thursday McLinn has no intention of denying the recorded statements.

McLinn is being held in the Douglas County Jail on a $1 million bond.