Daily American Republic

SALEM, Mo. -- A Patterson, Mo., man will stand trial early next year in Dent County for allegedly killing his first wife and burying her body.

Ronald Joe Nunnery, 45, is charged with the Class A felony of first-degree murder and the unclassified felony of armed criminal action in connection with the death of Marcia Anne Nunnery in August 2000.

Her body was exhumed from a grave in a cedar grove near her residence in early December.

In a recent court appearance, Circuit Judge William C. Seay set Nunnery's jury trial to begin Jan. 6, according to court personnel. The trial is expected to last about a week.

Nunnery's other wife, Eunnona Starkey, is also charged with the Class A felony of first-degree murder. Her trial is set before Seay for Nov. 21 to Nov. 23 in Iron County.