MINOT, N.D. (AP) - A man accused of killing the mother of his child with a telephone cord has pleaded not guilty to murder, and his attorney has asked a judge for 90 additional days to prepare for the case.

Defense attorney Robert Martin says Jay Washek, 42, of Minot, has been diagnosed as mentally ill and has been committed to the State Hospital in Jamestown three times, most recently in 2005.

Martin said Washek has been known to experience hallucinations and aggression from an antidepressant called Cymbalta, and that Washek's mother was planning to have him committed the morning after Erickson's body was found.

Washek is being held without bail in the death of Jennifer Erickson, 28, of Plaza. He entered his plea Thursday before Northwest District Judge William McLees.

Police said they found Erickson's body in a bedroom of Washek's home on April 30, with a phone cord wrapped tightly around her neck. Washek was charged with Class AA murder.

Washek was jailed at the time on a domestic assault charge involving his mother. Police said Washek told them to go to his home because "something bad" had happened there.

Erickson is the mother of Washek's 4-year-old son. Police said the adults had an argument after Washek had abused the child.

Martin on Thursday questioned whether police acted properly in searching Washek's apartment, saying Washek was not competent to consent to a search.

Police Lt. Dan Strandberg said authorities entered Washek's apartment because of his statement that something bad had happened there, and because of the earlier incident involving Washek's mother.

Martin also is questioning whether media coverage of the case has hampered his client's chance for a fair trial. He said he might have Minot State University or another organization conduct a poll to look into the matter.