HARTINGTON, Neb. -- A man from Louisiana, facing a murder charge in northeast Nebraska, is awaiting a trial date after entering a written not guilty plea this week. 

According to court documents filed in Cedar County, 31-year-old David Phillips waived his preliminary hearing this week in County Court. 

Phillips was arrested at the beginning of March, following the shooting death of Israel Matos-Colon at a rural residence northeast of Hartington. 

Phillips faces second-degree murder and felony weapon charges. 

He was scheduled to be arraigned in District Court next week, but Thursday Phillips filed a written plea of not guilty in lieu of appearing for a hearing. 

A court date has not yet been set.