A Rockwood man accused of stabbing his sister-in-law to death will stand trial for second-degree murder.

A judge ruled Thursday morning that there was not enough evidence to proceed with the initial charge of first-degree murder against Xhevahir Myftari in the death of Xhuljeta Vlashi as there was not enough proof the act was planned in advance.

Last August, Vlashi was found dead inside her Rockwood home. Her purse was found near a Toronto high-rise, and Myftari was later arrested in Peel Region.

Myftari’s lawyer says he was pleased to see the charge reduced.

“It’ll be the jury’s decision to decide whether he’s guilty of that offence or not,” Charn Gill tells CTV News.

Vlashi’s sister, Rudina Vlashi, was in the Guelph courtroom for Thursday’s hearing, and says several family members plan to attend all the court proceedings.

“I wasn’t happy. I expected first-degree murder,” she says.

A trial date has yet to be set.