Accused killer Mark Douglas Hacking appeared in court Monday wearing a bullet-proof vest and flanked by seven bailiffs.

Long-time court observers said the vest was an unusual security measure, although Salt Lake County Sheriff's Sgt. Rosie Rivera called it "standard procedure" in a high-profile case.

Asked if there had been specific threats to Hacking's life, Rivera said, "If there were any, I wouldn't tell you anyway."

During a scheduling hearing that lasted only minutes, 3rd District Judge William Barrett set a preliminary hearing for Sept. 23 -- a date agreed upon by defense attorney D. Gilbert Athay and prosecutors Robert Stott and Angela Micklos.

Hacking was expressionless as he scanned the courtroom gallery, apparently looking for familiar faces. No members of his family were in court on Monday.

Hacking, 28, is charged with first-degree felony murder for allegedly killing his wife, 27-year-old Lori Hacking, at their Salt Lake City apartment on July 19.

According to charging documents -- which rely largely on Hacking's confession to his brothers -- Hacking shot his wife in the head as she slept, then disposed of her body in a Dumpster that was picked up that morning.

Police continue to search for Lori's body at the Salt Lake County Landfill.

Prosecutors believe Hacking killed his wife because she had discovered his numerous lies, including his false claims that he graduated from the University of Utah and been accepted to a North Carolina medical school.

After Monday's hearing, prosecutor Stott told news reporters there were no ongoing plea negotiations. "The only thing we've negotiated about was the preliminary hearing date," he said.

The purpose of a preliminary hearing is to establish whether there is probable cause to believe a crime occurred and that the defendant committed it.

Defense attorney Athay declined to answer questions. He did not ask the judge for a hearing to reduce Hacking's bail, which stands at $1 million, cash only.