Murder Trial Delayed Until January

WAGONER, Okla. (AP) -- The trial of a Wagoner man accused of killing his wife last year won't begin until January.<br/><br/>Thirty-year-old Colbert Dene Shoemaker Junior was scheduled to go on trial

Wednesday, October 24th 2007, 8:44 am

By: News On 6

WAGONER, Okla. (AP) -- The trial of a Wagoner man accused of killing his wife last year won't begin until January.

Thirty-year-old Colbert Dene Shoemaker Junior was scheduled to go on trial Monday in the May 2006 death of Stacy Shoemaker. But Colbert Shoemaker's attorneys successfully argued that presiding District Judge Bruce Sewell should recuse himself from the case because he and Shoemaker are Masons.

Chief District Judge Tom Alford will appoint a new presiding judge.

Shoemaker told police in May 2006 that he accidentally shot his 26-year-old wife during an argument at their home.

He told state crime agents he saw her suffering and then covered her head with a pillow and shot her a second time in the head.

Their 7-year-old daughter found her mother's body.

The case is now scheduled to begin January 8th.