SKOWHEGAN – A Canaan man accused of murdering his girlfriend has waived his right to a jury trial, meaning a judge will decide Shannon Atwood’s guilt or innocence at a trial next month.

The 38-year-old Atwood is accused of killing 38-year-old Cheryl Murdoch of Waterville, whose decomposed body was found in August 2006 in Canaan. Atwood’s trial is scheduled to begin June 3.

Atwood was previously charged with murdering his wife, Shirley Moon Atwood, but that charge was dropped. Shirley Moon Atwood’s body was never found.

In the new case, a judge is allowing Atwood’s lawyers to present an alternative-suspect theory.