Mitchell Man Accused of Killing Wife with Shoelace on Trial

MITCHELL, S.D. (AP) — A Mitchell man accused of killing his wife a year ago is going on trial.

Fifty-year-old Donald McDougal is accused of strangling 49-year-old Janie McDougal with a shoelace in their Mitchell apartment in September 2014.

McDougal told police he believed his wife might have hung herself. He's pleaded not guilty to alternate murder and manslaughter charges.

The Daily Republic newspaper reports that jury selection was scheduled Monday. The trial is scheduled to last two weeks.

McDougal could face life in prison or even the death penalty if convicted.

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