CLEVELAND - A judge in Ohio says a convicted serial killer will get separate trials in alleged attacks on two survivors who testified against him in the murders of 11 women.

Judge Dick Ambrose ruled Friday that 52-year-old Anthony Sowell will go on trial Monday in Cleveland on rape and kidnapping charges.

He postponed the kidnapping-attempted murder case being handled by a second prosecutor who had longstanding vacation plans.

Prosecutors wanted both cases postponed and mentioned a concern that Sowell's death sentence could be jeopardized. Both sides are continuing plea-bargain talks.

Sowell has pleaded not guilty to the remaining charges. He's appealing his murder convictions.

The Associated Press