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DURHAM, N.C. — A Durham man accused of killing his wife more than two years ago formally waived arraignment Monday, clearing the way for his murder trial to start.
Robert Petrick, who is acting as his own attorney, is charged with killing Janine Sutphen, a cellist for the Durham Symphony. Authorities say Petrick suffocated Sutphen and then dumped her body into Falls Lake.
A judge ruled last week that Petrick, currently serving a prison sentence for fraud, would not be given more time to prepare for his case, but did order the state to purchase a set of legal books for the defendant to use since he does not have access to them in prison.
Jury selection is set to begin in the murder trial Oct. 31.
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