NOVI, Mich. -- A judge has heard testimony in the case of a man accused of strangling his girlfriend and burying her in a shallow grave in northern Lower Michigan.

Judge Robert Bondy heard testimony Thursday in Novi district court as he considers whether there is enough evidence for Joseph Damian Susalla to continue to trial on a charge of first-degree murder.

The 49-year-old Livingston County man is charged in the death of 50-year-old Kelley Duberg.

Police said the Wixom woman was found naked and wrapped in plastic in a 4-foot grave in Crawford County's Beaver Creek Township, about 45 miles east of Traverse City.

A ruling is not expected until Susalla undergoes a psychiatric exam.

A message seeking comment was left for defense attorney Lawrence Kaluzny.

Durberg was reported missing by her family on May 27, five days after they had last seen her.

Police said Susalla's mother owns a property near where Durberg's body was found.