Jessica Ridgeway Update: Possible plea deal in killing of Colo. schoolgirl

(CBS/AP) GOLDEN, Colo. - A judge is set to consider a possible plea deal on Tuesday for a teen charged with killing and sexually assaulting a 10-year-old girl kidnapped on her way to school in suburban Denver.

PICTURES: Body of 10-year-old Colo. girl found

The hearing comes two days before Austin Sigg, 18, is set to stand trial and nearly a year after Jessica Ridgeway's disappearance. Lawyers and court officials declined to release details of the possible plea, citing a gag order in the case.

Sigg was arrested two weeks after Jessica disappeared when his mother called police telling them her son had confessed to her.

Detectives say Sigg admitted to killing the fifth-grader, but denied sexually assaulting her.

If convicted, he could face life in prison but could be paroled after 40 years. Sigg can't get the death penalty because he was 17 at the time of the slaying.

Jessica left home to walk to school in Westminster on Oct. 5 but never arrived.

Hundreds of people helped search for her and two days later her backpack was found in Superior, a town about 6 miles away from her home. A few days later, human remains later identified as Jessica's were found in a park.

Complete coverage of Jessica Ridgeway on Crimesider