OBERLIN — Opening statements are set to get underway today in the trial of an Oberlin man accused of killing his estranged wife and dumping the body before turning himself into police.

Joseph Eric Vercher, 46, is accused of the June 2013 second-degree murder of Rachel Denise Lambert Vercher, 34.

A jury has already been seated and the trial is expected to begin at 9 a.m. in the 33rd Judicial District Court.

Police initially charged Vercher with manslaughter, but the charge was upgraded to second-degree murder by a grand jury in August 2013.

The grand jury upgraded the charge based on evidence and facts presented in the case, according to District Attorney Todd Nesom. The grand jury also indicted Vercher on an obstruction of justice charge.

Vercher pleaded innocent to the charges.

He is accused of fatally stabbing his estranged wife during an argument on the night of June 29. The couple, who had been married about a year, were separated at the time, according to family members.

Vercher told authorities he stabbed her and slit her throat before dumping her body in the underbrush on Carrier Road, just north of Oberlin. He then drove to the Allen Parish Sheriff’s Office, where he confessed to the slaying and led police to the body.

An autopsy revealed she suffered blunt trauma to the head and multiple stab wounds, according to family members.

If convicted of second-degree murder, Vercher faces life in prison without parole.

Vercher remains in jail in lieu of a $250,000 bond.

He is being represented by attorney Chad Guidry.(MGNonline)