BROWNSVILLE, Texas (AP) - A videotaped confession by a man accused in the 2009 killing of the executive director of the Brownsville Museum of Fine Art will be allowed at trial.

State District Judge Elia Cornejo Lopez on Wednesday denied a defense motion to suppress the statements by 20-year-old Ernesto Ivan Martinez. His trial is expected to begin in August.

Martinez is charged in the October killing of Barry Horn at the 59-year-old victim's home. Police have portrayed Martinez as Horn's former partner.

Martinez, who also is charged with burglary of a habitation and theft, was arrested in Matamoros, Mexico.

Martinez testified that he was coerced into making the videotaped statements, which were played in court during the pretrial hearing, and that he did not understand his rights.

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Information from: The Brownsville Herald, http://www.brownsvilleherald.com

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