Closing arguments and jury deliberations are set to begin today in the Brian Pheasant murder trial in Benton.

The defense rested its case Monday after Brian Pheasant took the stand in his own defense saying he was trying to kill himself and not his wife, Beth Pheasant, at their Christopher home on Halloween night 2016. The prosecution rested last week.

Pheasant is charged with two counts of first-degree murder in his wife’s death.