Joshua Miner waives jury trial in Joliet Hickory Street murders

JOLIET, Ill. (WLS) -- A man charged in the slayings of two men who were strangled last year in Joliet waived a jury trial Monday and instead will allow a judge to decide his fate.

Joshua Miner, one of four people charged in the gruesome deaths of Eric Glover and Terrance Rankins in Joliet, is expected to go on trial Tuesday when opening statements begin.

Jury selection was to begin in Joliet on Monday morning, but Joshua Miner, 26, asked for a bench trial before Will County Judge Gerald Kinney. Miner has been portrayed as the ringleader of the four who were charged, according to court testimony. The trial is expected to last about a week.

Glover and Rankins, both 22, were found strangled with plastic bags over their heads in a Joliet home in January 2013. Prosecutors said the victims were lured to an apartment for what they thought was a party and were robbed and killed.

Jury selection could be delayed due to an evaluation of Miner's sanity. There is also a motion to have him restrained during the trial.

This is the second trial from this murder case. Bethany McKee, 20, was convicted in August of murdering Glover and Rankins. She faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison at her sentencing, which is scheduled for October.

A third suspect, 21-year-old Adam Landerman, is awaiting trial. A fourth suspect, 20-year-old Alisa Massaro, pleaded guilty to robbery and concealment of a homicidal death in exchange for a 10-year-prison sentence.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.