A Wittenberg University professor accused of rape waived his right to a jury trial after two failed attempts at selecting a jury today.

Hollant “Max” Adrien was charged in October with rape and kidnapping. He had been teaching French at the university for a little over a year.

Hollant appeared with his attorney today for jury selection, and after two unsuccessful attempts, waived his right to a trial by jury. Opening arguments began this afternoon in the bench trial.

According to Springfield police, Adrien is connected to two kidnapping and rape cases of a 20-year-old man and 19-year-old man. One of the cases dates back to 2010. He’s also connected to an alleged Oct. 4 kidnapping in Snyder Park, where the 17-year-old male victim was able to get away with Adrien’s phone, according to police.

He faces two counts of rape and two counts of kidnapping in Clark County Common Pleas Court.