CHICAGO (AP) -- A Chicago judge has tried to dissuade a Calumet City man from representing himself on charges in the death of an Eli Lilly & Co. pharmaceutical sales representative he had briefly dated.

The Cook County Circuit judge likens Reginald Potts Junior's plan to defend himself at trial to reading "Chess for Dummies" before playing a chess champion.

Judge Thomas Gainer Junior acceded to the request but says Potts could change his mind.

Potts has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder, four counts of aggravated kidnapping, two counts of kidnapping and one count each of vehicular hijacking and robbery in the death of 28-year-old Nailah Franklin of Chicago.

Franklin's car was found in Hammond about a week before her body was found on Sept. 27, 2008 in a wooded area behind vacant businesses in the 200 block of River Oaks Drive in Calumet City.

He said at Friday's hearing he understood his decision could end up costing his life. But he told the court he's not guilty and believes defending himself will move the process along faster.

Potts has been held without bail since December.