PORT ANGELES — A man accused of raping and strangling a 15-year-old Port Angeles girl in December 2004 has decided to retain his legal defense team.

The remaining legal issue is a revised waiver that Robert Gene Covarrubias, 25, will be required to sign formalizing his decision.

Another hearing is scheduled for 2 p.m. today in Clallam County Superior Court Judge George Wood’s courtroom for Covarrubias to sign the waiver.

“The bottom line is the defendant is satisfied with his current defense team and wants to go to trial with them,” said Ralph Anderson from Clallam Public Defenders.

Anderson and co-counsel Harry Gasnick are representing Covarrubias, who is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Melissa Leigh Carter.

Carter’s body was discovered in the brush off Waterfront Trail just east of downtown Port Angeles.

She was last seen at a party at the Chinook Motel on East First Street on Dec. 23, 2004. Her body was discovered three days later.

Covarrubias has pleaded not guilty to the charge.