BROOKLINE, Pa. -- Police said a local man confessed to killing a 3-year-old girl two decades ago, but he had to be released.

New laws on the books allowed police to arrest the suspect again, just last month.

Now the judge is having his say in this 24-year-old murder mystery.

The judge held Timothy Widman for trial on a criminal homicide charge in the case.

Back in 1982, Widman confessed to police to killing Nicole Bryner, his girlfriend's daughter, at their South Side apartment.

The chance for justice brings some sense of relief for the girl's father, who spoke through the prosecuting attorney.

The only witness called to testify was then-homicide Detective James Ditkin, who said Widman admitted 24 years ago to being on speed for three days when he backhanded the girl so hard that she died three hours later.

Widman also told police he panicked because of his criminal record, so he and Nicole's mother decided to bury the little girl, putting her in a green garbage bag in a 2-foot grave in a wooded area in Brookline.

The mother, Melody Childs, then reported her missing.

Recently, cadaver dogs and city police detectives searched areas off Timberland and Dunster streets but found nothing.

Despite Widman's confession, the defense argued there is no proof of a crime.

Widman will be back in court for his formal arraignment on Nov. 21.

Nicole's mother has since passed away in Texas and was never charged in the case.