MERRILL, Wis. (WSAU) -- A Lincoln County murder trial is half finished.
Today, the defense begins calling their witnesses in the trial of 50-year-old Mark Bucki. The jury was selected a week ago today, and nearly 70 prosecution witnesses were on the stand through Friday. Now, attorneys try to present Bucki’s side of the story to explain why they believe he did not kill his estranged wife Anita a year ago.
Many family members, investigators, and experts testified last week. The biggest mystery as the defense begins to present its case is, “Will Mark Bucki take the stand?” Attorneys James Lex and Jessica Schuster have not said yes or no.
Predictions early last week were that the trial would last through Thursday, but that could change.
Mark Bucki is charged with first-degree intentional homicide, hiding a corpse and strangulation and suffocation, and is accused of disposing of Anita Bucki’s body in a Taylor County swamp. Investigators say the 48-year-old woman was stabbed seven times and she was strangled.