Graswald murder trial to start March 13

Jury selection for Angelika Graswald's long-awaited murder trial has been scheduled to start March 13 in Orange County Court.

The trial would start nearly two years after her fiance, Vincent Viafore went missing.

Graswald, 36, has pleaded not guilty to charges of second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in connection with the death of Viafore. She is accused of killing the 46-year-old Poughkeepsie man during a Hudson River kayaking trip the couple took to Bannerman Island on April 19, 2015.

In December, Orange County Court Judge Robert Freehill ruled that prosecutors will be able to use the majority of videotaped and other statements Graswald made to police after Viafore's death, including two alleged confessions she made to police — one of which was video-taped.

JUDGE: Prosecutors can use majority of Graswald's statements to police 

DELAYED: Graswald murder case rescheduled again

POLICE: Graswald confession made her a suspect

Prosecutors contend Graswald tampered with Viafore's kayak, causing it to sink in the frigid Hudson River, in an effort to claim a $250,000 life insurance policy.

Graswald's defense team says Viafore's death was a tragic accident.

Freehill said he will rule on a motion filed by the defense at a March 7 pretrial conference. It's unclear what the motion is, but it appears to relate to the Orange County District Attorney's Office.

Since her April 30, 2015 arrest, Graswald has been awaiting trial in Orange County Jail on a $3 million bail or $9 million bond. Viafore's body was found May 23, 2015, in the Hudson River.

Nina Schutzman: nschutzman@poughkeepsiejournal.com, 845-451-4518, Twitter: @pojonschutzman