Murder trial faces likely delay

Further delays are likely in the trial of a Christopher man accused of killing his wife last Halloween.
At a pretrial Thursday morning in Franklin County Circuit Court, the attorney for Brian D. Pheasant said she plans to file a motion delaying the start of Pheasant's jury trial, which currently is set to begin in early February.
Paula Newcomb, who is representing Pheasant, said she is still awaiting DNA evidence in the case, as well as other evidence including a fingerprinting of Pheasant that was scheduled to take place later Thursday.
Newcomb said she plans to file a formal motion to delay the beginning of Pheasant's trial.
"We're just not going to be ready for the February date," Newcomb said.
Pheasant, 43, faces two counts of first degree murder following the Oct. 31 shooting death of his wife, 37-year-old Beth A. Pheasant, at the couple's home in Christopher.
Pheasant remains in the Franklin County Jail on $2 million bond. He faces between 20 and 60 years for each of the charges, both class M felonies, as well as potential enhancements of 25 years to life because of the alleged use of a firearm.