Trial begins this week for man accused in dismemberment case

TULSA, Okla. (AP) _ A man accused of murdering and dismembering a Tulsa boy more than 12 years ago goes on trial for his life this week. <br><br>Wayne Henry Garrison, 42, could receive a death sentence

Saturday, November 10th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

TULSA, Okla. (AP) _ A man accused of murdering and dismembering a Tulsa boy more than 12 years ago goes on trial for his life this week.

Wayne Henry Garrison, 42, could receive a death sentence if he is convicted of first-degree murder.

Jurors are scheduled to begin hearing evidence in Garrison's trial Tuesday in District Judge Jesse Harris' courtroom.

Justin Wiles, 13, who lived in Garrison's neighborhood, disappeared June 20, 1989. Parts of his body were found four days later in Lake Bixhoma and on the lake shore in Wagoner County, investigators said.

Garrison was charged with the murder Oct. 22, 1999, more than a decade after he was first identified as a suspect.

He has maintained he is innocent. Garrison has spent almost two years in the Tulsa Jail.

This is Garrison's second trial. His first ended in a mistrial last April when defense attorneys said a crucial witness was unavailable to testify because of medical reasons.