By Eric Stock/WJBC News

BLOOMINGTON – A McLean County judge has struck down a defense request to challenge more than a dozen search warrants that police used in the investigation of Kirk Zimmerman, who faces first-degree murder charges in the 2014 death of his ex-wife Pamela Zimmerman.

Judge Scott Drazewski said in his ruling Wednesday, investigators had sufficient probable cause in each instance.

“The defendant, having deleted information from his phone, including emails, texts and Facebook account, and the fact that there was a possible motive, based upon an ongoing dispute with his ex-wife, the decedent, based upon child-related expenses, there is more than enough,” Drazewski said.

Kirk Zimmerman’s attorney John Rogers was trying to get certain evidence thrown out, claiming it wasn’t legally obtained.

Pre-trial hearing continues through today. No trial date has been scheduled.

This story was submitted to us by WJBC’s Eric Stock