TOPEKA (AP) – A judge has ruled that DNA testing will be allowed on potential evidence in the killing of an 18-year-old Topeka woman.

District Judge Cheryl Kingfisher approved a request from prosecutors for DNA testing in the first-degree murder case against 21-year-old Dustin Leftwich.

Leftwich has pleaded not guilty to kidnapping and murdering Brenna Morgart, whose body was found in a field near Topeka on May 25. Prosecutors say Leftwich intentionally hit Morgart with his vehicle.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports Kingfisher said the DNA test results could change the case from a first-degree murder case to a capital murder case.

Leftwich’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for Sept. 4-6.