(Farmington, MO.) 41 year old Christopher Lewis Gates, of Farmington, will make an appearance in St. Francois County Court Friday. The court docket for Judge Wendy Wexler Horn shows Gates is to have a trial setting hearing. Gates is accused of beating and killing his girlfriend. Reports indicate deputies were called to a Wolf Creek Road residence in June where Gates' girlfriend, Heather Huffman, was discovered. She was allegedly covered in blood and had been beaten. There were also reportedly several blunt objects found that had allegedly been used to beat Huffman. Authorities say Gates has admitted to killing the woman.