Illinois man commits suicide days before murder trial

CAHOKIA - Police say a 58-year-old southwestern Illinois man committed suicide, days before he was set to stand trial for the 2012 death of his wife.

The Belleville News-Democrat reports Ovie Sumpter died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

He was set to stand trial on April 21 after being charged with first-degree murder for the death of his 53-year-old wife, Tina Sumpter. He was also charged with aggravated battery with a firearm in connection with the shooting of his son. Those incidents took place in Cahokia.

Authorities say the Millstadt man's body was found Friday.