Trial Set For Tulsa Teacher Accused Of Killing Wife

TULSA, Okla. (AP) -- A Tulsa County district judge on Monday set an August 17 trial date for a former Tulsa high school teacher accused of killing his wife.

John Robert Kastner is charged with first-degree murder in the June 2008 shooting death of Lori Kastner at their home.

Related Story:  08/29/2008  John Kastner Bound Over For Trial

Kastner appeared at Monday's court hearing in restraints and asked Tulsa County District Judge Clancy Smith to set a trial for May.

Kastner maintains his innocence and will represent himself with assistant Public Defender Marny Hill serving as Kastner's standby counsel. She did not return a call seeking comment.

Kastner initially told police a man broke into their home and used the couple's gun to shoot his wife twice in the head and that he was shot in the hand.

But, Tulsa Police investigators say the story fell apart under investigation.