Thursday, October 4, 2012

A new trial date has been set for a former Sedgwick County Sheriff's Deputy accused of killing his wife and setting fire to their house.

Brett Seacat's first degree murder trial is now set to begin at 9 a.m. May 20 in Kingman County District Court. The charge stems from the death of Seacat's wife, Vashti, in April 2011.

Prosecutors allege the 36-year-old Seacat shot his 34-year-old wife in her bedroom and then set the house on fire while the couple's sons, ages 2 and 4, slept down the hall.

Seacat is also charged with aggravated arson and two counts of aggravated child endangerment. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges. His defense claims Vashti, who has filed for divorce 16 days before her death, committed suicide.