Jesse Calhoun was arraigned Wednesday on a fifth murder charge in a Portland, Oregon courtroom, with his defense attorney entering a not guilty plea on his behalf.

Calhoun was already facing charges in connection with the deaths of four women whose bodies were discovered in 2022 and 2023 in the Portland area. The latest charge involves the second-degree murder of Ashley Real, a 22-year-old woman who had previously alleged that Calhoun had choked her.

Prosecutors indicated they intend to try all five killings together in a single trial scheduled for next year. The arraignment on Wednesday was brief, focusing solely on the procedural aspects of the new charge.

The case involves multiple victims whose bodies were found dumped in the Portland area over the course of approximately two years. Calhoun has been characterized by authorities as an accused serial killer in connection with the string of deaths.

The consolidation of all five murder cases into one trial represents a significant development in the prosecution's strategy. No additional details about the timing of the planned trial or other procedural matters were immediately available following Wednesday's court appearance.