SALINE COUNTY (AP) — Opening arguments were expected Tuesday morning in the Saline County murder trial of a southern Illinois physician charged with killing his estranged wife and destroying her body.

Brian Burns is accused of killing his estranged wife, Carla Burns in 2016.

Twelve jurors and three alternates were selected Monday. Burns is back in custody at the Saline County jail for the duration of his murder trial.

He had been serving time in the Menard Correctional Center for a previous conviction for trying to have a prosecutor kidnapped.

The case was scheduled for trial last year but was continued while Burns received a mental evaluation to determine if he is fit to stand trial.

Prosecutors say Brian Burns fatally shot his wife, Carla Burns, in March 2016, burned her body and spread the ashes to cover it up.

Burns was given a 20-year prison sentence in January on a conviction of trying to arrange the kidnapping of former State’s Attorney Mike Henshaw, who was prosecuting him on the murder charges.