William Cumber, charged with second-degree murder in the death of his girlfriend Sabine Musil-Buehler, appeared in court Wednesday for a case management hearing.

Carolyn Schlemmer, public defender for Cumber, asked to schedule another case management hearing in May after receiving 600 pages of discovery Tuesday. Cumber, who entered a not guilty plea on Oct. 17, has waived his right to a speedy trial.

Art Brown, assistant state attorney, voiced no opposition to an additional case management, but felt five months would be too much time.

"I believe it is wise to set case management in light of recently receiving discovery and that amount of discovery," said Judge Thomas Krug.

The court agreed to have another hearing at 9 a.m. April 17.

Cumber was charged in October with the slaying of Musil-Buehler, a Holmes Beach resident and co-owner of Haley's Motel on Anna Maria Island. Musil-Buehler went missing on Nov. 4, 2008. Her body has not been recovered.

When Manatee County Sheriff Brad Steube announced Cumber's arrest he said there is powerful evidence in the case. That evidence includes traces of blood found in the victim's car and apartment, leading detectives to believe Cumber killed Musil-Buehler, Steube said.

Steube also said the state will provide a motive for the murder at trial, which has not been scheduled.

If convicted of second-degree murder, Cumber faces up to life in prison.