Roy Browning Jr. has pleaded not guilty for the murder of his wife, University of Iowa Health Care budget official JoEllen Browning.

Roy Browning waived his right to holding an open arraignment in court that was scheduled for Friday, submitting his plea by written arraignment instead. He has been charged with first-degree murder.

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JoEllen Browning was found dead in her home April 5, and autopsy results show that she died from sharp-force injuries.

Roy Browning was arrested for her murder Oct. 28, a little more than six months after his wife’s death.

Court documents showed that JoEllen Browning questioned her husband about discrepancies in their financial records days before her death. On April 4, phone records show she informed her husband that she had scheduled a meeting between the couple and a financial representative.

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That day, Roy Browning purchased rubber-palmed nitrile gloves and a package of six white towels. He was given eight-10 latex gloves for free, according to court documents. Authorities did not locate any of these items.

A hearing date for Roy Browning is set for 1:30 p.m. Dec. 9.