The murder trial for Robert B. Bailey, Tamaqua, begins at 9 a.m. Monday. It is scheduled for three days.

Tamaqua police charged Bailey, 54, in the stabbing death of his wife, Diane Bailey, 43, November 26, 2017. Her body was found on the sidewalk in front of their home, 325 Layette St. Tamaqua Police had been called to the home at 7:42 p.m. to handle a domestic dispute, and witnesses told police it was Robert Bailey who had stabbed her.

Police fanned out to search and West Penn Township officer Anthony Houser found Bailey minutes later walking along Washington Street.

According to the police report, Bailey’s hands and clothing were bloody, and he clutched a knife. Reportedly, he dropped the knife and told the Houser, “I’m the guy you’re looking for.”

According to the police report, Bailey was taken into custody, arrested by Tamaqua Officer Henry Wood. Bailey confessed to the crime, telling police where he had discarded the knife used in the stabbing, as he fled out the back door of the home.

In May 2018, Judge John E. Domalakes denied Bailey’s request to suppress statements he made to police after his arrest.

In August 2018, Bailey asked for a six-month delay before the start of his trial to allow time for him to be evaluated by an expert to determine if he was influenced by alleged drug intoxication when he stabbed his wife.

Domalakes will preside over the trial, which will be prosecuted by District Attorney Michael O’Pake. Public Defender Kent Watkins will represent Bailey, who has been held in county jail without bail. He is charged with first- and third-degree murder, two counts of aggravated assault, simple assault, reckless endangerment and possession of instruments of crime.