Bend, OR: Judge to decide nonjury murder trial of C. Ore. man whose wife's body was found in barre

BEND, Ore. — A judge will decide the aggravated murder trial of a central Oregon man accused of killing his wife and burying her body in a barrel.

The Bulletin newspaper in Bend reports that 48-year-old Darrell Middlekauff of La Pine chose a trial by judge without a jury to avoid a possible death penalty if convicted in the July 2002 death of 40-year-old Brenda Middlekauff.

Her body was found three years later, shot three times in the head.

In closing arguments Monday, prosecutors said Darrell Middlekauff changed his story about his wife's disappearance so many times, he was caught up in a web of lies. His defense attorney argued police lacked any physical evidence linking him to the death.

A decision by Deschutes County Circuit Judge Stephen Tiktin is expected next week.