Trials consolidated for accused Oregon killer

CORVALLIS, Ore. — The trial for a man charged with killing Brooke Wilberger will be consolidated with a second trial on charges of trying to kill two other young women near the Oregon State University campus.

Joel Courtney is charged with aggravated murder in the May 2004 disappearance of the 19-year-old Wilberger, a Brigham Young University student from Oregon who was working a summer job at an apartment building near the OSU campus.

The 43-year-old Courtney is also charged with attempted murder, attempted kidnapping and attempted rape involving two former Oregon State students the same morning that Wilberger disappeared. Her body has not been found.

Benton County Circuit Judge Locke Williams on Wednesday granted a prosecution motion to consolidate both cases for trial, which is not expected until next year.