NEW CASTLE — An Ellwood City man has been ordered to stand trial in the strangulation death of his girlfriend last spring.

A Lawrence County judge last week upheld charges of first-degree murder, criminal homicide and abuse of a corpse against 23-year-old Keith Wolfrey.

Assistant District Attorney Thomas Minett told the New Castle News after the preliminary hearing that he may seek the death penalty.

Wolfrey is charged in the May 22 death of 20-year-old Joie Lordi in their home.

Authorities have said the defendant told police that he argued with the victim while moving out and put his hands around her throat but remembers little else. He said he was awakened the next morning by the couple’s 6-month-old baby.

Wolfrey remains in jail without bond.