Bechler expected to testify in his own defense

Deepa Bharath

Eric Bechler, the Newport Beach man accused of killing his wife during

a boating trip more than three years ago, is expected to testify today at

his murder trial.

Bechler’s testimony is poised to come on the day when the defense

begins presenting its witnesses.

His attorney, John Barnett, said last week that Bechler volunteered to

take the stand and that he has always wanted to talk about what happened.

He said while it is not very common for murder defendants to testify,

it isn’t unusual either.

Prosecutors have charged Bechler, 33, with murdering his wife, Pegye,

38, by hitting her on the head with a dumbbell and weighting down her

body in the ocean about four miles off Newport Beach. Her body has not

been found.

Prosecutors allege that Bechler killed his wife to collect on her

$2-million life insurance policy.

Bechler has denied all charges and maintains that his wealthy wife, a

triathlete and expert swimmer, was knocked into the water by a rogue wave

when she was driving a rented speedboat while towing him on a body board

in July 1997.

The trial, which began in December, has taken several interesting

turns. So far, the prosecution has called to the stand several witnesses,

including Tina New, 30, Bechler’s former girlfriend, who told jurors that

he talked about the grizzly details of the murder after a night of

partying.

Kobi Laker, best man at the Bechlers’ wedding, said his friend had

discussed stuffing Pegye in a barrel and dumping her in the ocean.

Among the other witnesses were Harbor Patrol officers, members of his

wife’s family, colleagues and a stripper.

The trial will resume at 9 a.m. in Room C38 at the Orange County

Courthouse in Santa Ana.