SE Missouri murder suspect due in court in June

In this Aug. 23, 2011, photo Clay Waller, center, is escorted to a police vehicle after a court hearing at the Cape Girardeau County Courthouse in Jackson, Mo., where he appeared on charges of stealing and harassment. Waller, 41, was charged Monday, April 23, 2012, with first-degree murder in the death of his estranged wife Jacque Waller, even though her body has not been found. Waller was 39 when she disappeared June 1, 2011.
In this Aug. 23, 2011, photo Clay Waller, center, is escorted to a police vehicle after a court hearing at the Cape Girardeau County Courthouse in Jackson, Mo., where he appeared on charges of stealing and harassment. Waller, 41, was charged Monday, April 23, 2012, with first-degree murder in the death of his estranged wife Jacque Waller, even though her body has not been found. Waller was 39 when she disappeared June 1, 2011.

CAPE GIRARDEA, Mo. (AP) - A southeast Missouri man whose wife disappeared a year ago has an upcoming court appearance on first-degree murder charges in his wife's death.

Clay Waller has been scheduled to make his initial court appearance June 4 in Jackson. Cape Girardeau County Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle told The Southeast Missourian (http://bit.ly/Mvj7wP) the purpose of the appearance will be to determine if Waller will have a private attorney or a public defender.

Waller is accused of killing his wife, Jacque Waller, last June. Prosecutors allege Clay Waller killed her after the estranged couple visited a divorce lawyer. Her body hasn't been found. Clay Waller has maintained his innocence.

Scott Reynolds, who has represented Waller on other charges, said Friday he hasn't been retained to represent him on the murder and tampering charges.


Information from: Southeast Missourian, http://www.semissourian.com