WENATCHEE, Wash. (AP) — The charge against a Wenatchee man accused of killing a 17-year-old girl has been upgraded to first-degree murder. 

Chelan County Prosecutor Gary Riesen amended the charge Tuesday against Christopher Scott Wilson.

He has been held since October on a second-degree murder charge. 

The Wenatchee World reports the prosecutor believes there's enough evidence to prove the February 2010 killing of Mackenzie Cowell was premeditated.

The Wenatchee High School student was beaten, strangled and stabbed. If convicted of the new charge, the 30-year-old Wilson would face a longer sentence of 20-to-26 years in prison.

Past coverage:

Dec. 16: 2nd arrest in slaying of Wenatchee teen

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