DURHAM, N.C. — A Durham man defending himself on charges that he killed his wife filed a motion Tuesday to suppress evidence in his murder trial, which begins next week.

Robert Petrick, who is accused of killing Durham musician Janine Sutphen more than two years ago, asked a judge to keep evidence related to his sexual behavior and his Wiccan beliefs out of the trial.

Authorities said two fisherman found Sutphen's body in Falls Lake on May 29, 2003. A cellist for the Durham Symphony, Sutphen was last reported seen alive on her way to a symphony rehearsal in January 2003.

Petrick, whose trial date is set for Oct. 31, is already serving 11 years in Raleigh's Central Prison for fraud. Police and prosecutors said that charge is connected to the murder charge, but they would not say how.

If convicted of Sutphen's death, Petrick faces a life sentence in prison.