After a quick motions hearing Friday morning, opening statements in the murder trial for James Emerson are expected at 1pm Friday.

Emerson is accused of the murder of Rhonda Mertes.

The hearing was about statements Emerson made to police during four different interrogations between 1999 and 2007.

The prosecution and defense had agreed to what can and can't be used as evidence and testimony during the trial before the hearing began.

After some questions, the judge gave his approval as well.

Prosecutors say Emerson beat Mertes to death in 1999 after luring her to a vacant area of downtown Wausau to try to sexually assault her.

He was arrested in 2007 after forensic tests put his DNA at the crime scene.