NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The state says it will seek the death penalty if a jury convicts an Illinois truck driver in the killing of a woman in Nashville.

Susan Niland, spokeswoman for Davidson County prosecutor’s office, said prosecutors made their intent known Thursday at a court hearing for Bruce Mendenhall in Nashville, where he is being held in jail.

Mendenhall is accused in the shooting death of Sara Nicole Hulbert, whose body was found at a Nashville truck stop in June 2007.

Mendenhall is also charged with murder in connection with the deaths of women whose bodies were found in Lebanon, Tenn., Birmingham, Ala., and Indianapolis.

Niland said jury selection for Mendenhall’s trial in the killing of Hulbert was set to begin Jan. 26.