A Nova Scotia man accused of killing his girlfriend, a popular Halifax yoga teacher, is going straight to trial, bypassing a preliminary inquiry.

Nicholas Jordan Butcher, 34, appeared via video link from jail when his case was brought up Friday in Halifax provincial court.

Butcher is charged with second-degree murder in the death of Kristin Johnston, 32, a yoga instructor. She was found dead in her Purcells Cove home on March 26.

Remains in custody

Kristin Johnston, 32, was killed in March at her Purcells Cove home. Nicholas Jordan Butcher is charged with second-degree murder in her death. (Kristin Johnston/Facebook) Butcher was dressed in an orange prison jumpsuit for the court session. His right arm was still heavily bandaged. He sustained serious injuries around the time of Johnston's death.

He's been in custody ever since his arrest. The Crown is opposed to his release.

No preliminary inquiry

A five-day preliminary inquiry had been scheduled for Butcher, beginning on Halloween. But his lawyer, Roger Burrill, told Judge Anne Derrick that he had reviewed the Crown's evidence and felt a preliminary is no longer necessary.

Butcher's case heads to Nova Scotia's Supreme Court next week to begin the process of setting trial dates.