Retired PA pastor to stand trial in wife's death

(Stroudsburg) -- A retired pastor with ties to the midstate, goes on trial today in the death of his second wife.

Sixty-four-year-old Arthur "A.B." Schirmer is charged with killing Betty Jean Schirmer in 2008 and staging a car accident to cover it up.

Jury selection is expected to take a day, with opening statements expected tomorrow at the Monroe County Courthouse in Stroudsburg.

Schirmer also stands accused of killing his first wife, Jewel, in 1999. in Lebanon County.

A trial date hasn't been set.

A grand jury has said Schirmer likely used blunt objects to kill the women.

The retired clergyman denies hurting either of his wives.