Accused 'Cannibal Cop' Conspirator To Face Trial This Fall

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) - The trial date has been set for the accused New Jersey co-conspirator in the so-called 'cannibal cop' plot.

Federal Judge Paul Gardephe scheduled a Nov. 4 trial for Michael Vanhise during a hearing Thursday.

The Trenton, N.J., auto mechanic has been held without bail since his January arrest.

Prosecutors said Vanhise conspired with NYPD officer Gilberto Valle last year to kidnap a woman in New York and bring her back to his home in New Jersey where she would be raped and killed.

According to prosecutors, Vanhise agreed to pay Valle $5,000 for the abduction.

According to court papers, the two said in email conversations that she would be knocked out, bound, gagged and then stuffed into a large suitcase to be delivered to Vanhise's home.

He has pleaded not guilty. Vanhise's lawyer has said her client engaged in sexual fantasy chat on the Internet with no plans to harm anyone.

Valle was convicted on all counts last month and could face life in prison when he is sentenced on June 19.

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