BOISE -- A man accused of shooting his girlfriend's ex-husband a dozen times in February will move forward to trial next month.
Joshua Alberts, 39, has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder, even though police say he admitted to the shooting first to an officer at the scene, then again in a taped confession.
Prosecutors say the victim, Joshua Warren, believed he was headed to the Whispering Pines apartment complex to pick up his sons the day he was killed Feb. 20, 2016.
Instead, prosecutors say, he fell into the trap Alberts had set for him.
Police say Alberts walked up to Warren's SUV as the other man pulled into the Whispering Pines parking lot and shot him a total of 12 times, firing through the window as Warren sat in the driver's seat.
Boise Police Sgt. Charles LeBar, who arrived on the scene a short time later, recalled finding Alberts still standing in the parking lot with the Glock 9 in his hand. LeBar testified earlier this year that Alberts told him that he had shot Warren.
Boise Police Det Josiah Ranson also testified that Alberts admitted to the murder, telling interviewers that he had brought the gun over to his girlfriend's apartment the night before. According to police, Alberts told detectives he had originally planned to shoot the other man in the stomach, wounding him, but "went into a rage" and continued to pull the trigger.
Despite the statements to police, Alberts has maintained his innocence in court.
Prosecutor Kai Wittwer said Friday the prosecution had identified 29 potential witnesses to testify against Alberts at the trial. By contrast, attorney Eric Rolfsen told the judge the defense had no witnesses and no exhibits to present on Alberts' behalf, but indicated the defendant still wished to proceed to trial.
If convicted of first-degree murder, Alberts could be sentenced to life in prison without parole.
The trial is set to begin Jan. 17.
