CHADRON, Neb. - The murder trial of 25-year-old Joseph Hotz was postponed to early November during a motions hearing Thursday in Dawes County District Court.

State-appointed defense attorneys and prosecutors discussed proposed trial exhibits and scheduling for proceedings with Judge Brian Silverman.

Hotz, dressed in an orange jail jump suit and his legs shackled, did not speak during the hearing.

He is charged with first-degree murder and seven other felony counts in connection with the Dec. 5, 2008, stabbing death of his roommate, fellow Chadron State College student Kenny Pfeiffer, at the off-campus home they shared.

Officials said Pfeiffer, 22, of Sebastian, Fla., was stabbed more than 50 times. Hotz was arrested after allegedly breaking into a home a short distance away, threatening the resident there and attempting to break into another nearby home.

He has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Attorney Jeff Pickens of the Nebraska Commission on Public Advocacy and Dawes County Public Defender Paul Wess have indicated they will use an insanity defense in the case.

Prosecutors, Dawes County Attorney Vance Haug and deputy state Attorney General Doug Warner, have said the state will not seek the death penalty if Hotz is convicted.

Both sides have been given permission to have Hotz evaluated by mental health experts.

One exhibit discussed Thursday related to the planned defense testimony by Dr. Daniel Wilson, chairman of the Department of Psychiatry at Creighton University.

Silverman set a Sept. 16 deadline for legal briefs, and ordered two exhibits sealed because they included trial material.