Jun 23, 2014 1 min read

GREENSBURG (AP) – A man accused of strangling his wife and dumping her body in a wooded area in Western Pennsylvania two years ago goes on trial Monday on a first-degree murder charge.

Twelve women and two female alternates were chosen as jurors last week in Westmoreland County to hear evidence in the trial of 43-year-old David Stahl of Hempfield.

Prosecutors allege that Stahl killed 37-year-old Derry Area schoolteacher Rebecca Stahl in February 2012 after they argued about his drinking, then kept her body in a shed for about two days before dumping it near the airport.

Defense attorneys say jurors should consider lesser charges such as third-degree murder or voluntary manslaughter.

Prosecutors earlier won a ruling allowing them to introduce evidence of violent encounters involving the couple dating back almost a decade.