Bechler prelim postponed to Jan. 28

Greg Risling

Those wanting more details about the disappearance and presumed death of

a Newport Beach woman two years ago will have to wait at least another

month.

A preliminary hearing for 32-year-old Eric Bechler, accused of killing

his wife for financial gain, was postponed until Jan. 28. Prosecutors

were anticipating the defense’s strategy for a speedy trial, one that

might have begun as early as February. But the delay, which isn’t

uncommon, will probably set the trial back until next summer.

Bechler is suspected of murdering his wife, Pegye, two years ago during a

boating trip meant to celebrate the couple’s fifth wedding anniversary.

Prosecutors contend Bechler used a dumbbell to kill his wife and then

dumped her body overboard.

Bechler maintains he was taken underwater by a large wave while he was

body boarding behind the boat. He said when he came up, his wife was

missing. He told authorities he thought the same wave may have thrown her

overboard.

The area where Bechler said the accident occurred was searched

extensively, but Pegye’s body was never found.

A Coast Guard report filed weeks after her disappearance said it was

unlikely Pegye Bechler was ejected from the vessel, based on the boat’s

mechanics and design.

His account was also suspicious because Pegye Bechler was a triathlete

and a strong swimmer.

Those suspicions were somewhat validated by Bechler’s arrest last month,

after his girlfriend cooperated with authorities and wore a recording

device. The tapes, which haven’t been released, reportedly have Bechler

making incriminating statements about his wife’s disappearance.