SKOWHEGAN, Maine — A Waterville man accused of shooting his estranged wife in front of their two sons will be tried before a judge in November.

Court officials say Justice Nancy Mills granted Richard Reynolds’ motion to have evidence heard by the judge instead of a jury in Somerset County Superior Court.

Reynolds is accused of shooting Rhonda Wakefield-Reynolds last January while she was staying with her brother in Fairfield.

Reynolds left a note saying he shot Wakefield-Reynolds to protect his 6- and 4-year-old boys. He dropped off the boys at day care before turning himself in to police. Both Reynolds and Wakefield-Reynolds had court orders banning them from going near each other.