Updated

A lawyer for a Senegalese man suspected of killing American woman in Florence says an Italian judge is expected to uphold his client's jailing.

The judge questioned Cheik Tidiane Diaw at a closed-door hearing Saturday in Florence to determine if the suspect should stay in custody as Ashley Olsen's murder probe continues.

Olsen, 35, originally from Florida, was found dead in her apartment on Jan. 9. An autopsy determined she was strangled a day earlier and suffered skull fractures. According to witnesses, Olsen and Diaw were together at a Florence night club a few hours before the attack.

Lawyer Antonio Voce says Diaw told the judge he tried to telephone for help. Diaw denies strangling Olsen, contending he pushed her to the floor twice after she shoved him.