NOBLE COUNTY, Ind. (WANE) -- One of the two suspects in the 1975 killing of a 17-year-old North Webster girl has waived his right to a jury trial, according to the Noble County Prosecutor's Office. The suspect, Fred Bandy Jr., is one of two people who were arrested in February 2023 and charged with first degree murder in the death of 17-year-old Laurel Jean Mitchell. An autopsy showed that she had drowned and struggled, and her death was ruled a homicide. Bandy recently waived his right to a jury trail, which means his case will be presented before a bench trial. During a bench trial, a judge will hear the case and make a determination of guilt or acquittal. Plea deal reached for one of two suspects in 1975 killing of teen in Noble County The other suspect, John Wayne Lehman, agreed to a plea deal in August that would change his first degree murder charge to a conspiracy to commit murder charge with eight years to be served in prison. A judge still has to accept the plea deal, and a status hearing is set for Oct. 11. Bandy's trial is scheduled for early October.