First-Degree Murder Trial

A St. Martin Parish jury is expected to hear opening statements today in the first-degree murder trial of 34-year-old Dewayne Joseph of Houma. He's accused of killing his estranged wife two-years-ago by chaining her to a dolly and dropping into a canal in St. Martin Parish.  The body of 31-year-old Delores Joseph was recovered about two-weeks later.  If convicted, Joseph faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.  The state is prohibited from seeking the death penalty after a court ruled that Joseph is mentally retarded.