Lincoln County Circuit Court Judge Jay Tlusty last Tuesday denied a motion by the defense to drop the homicide case against Mark Bucki. Bucki is charged with First Degree Intentional Homicide, Suffocation/Strangulation and Hiding a Corpse in the April 2013 death of his wife, Anita Bucki.

The defense argued that no physical evidence admitted at the preliminary hearing tied Mark Bucki to the death of his wife. They also called into question the validity of cadaver dog “alerts” on the Bucki property.

Prosecutors countered that numerous pieces of circumstantial evidence support their case against Mark Bucki. 

Mark Bucki reported his wife missing from their home on Wegner Road in the town of Corning April 26. Her body was discovered in a swamp off Cty. Rd. C in Taylor County, about 19 miles from their house, on May 10. Mark Bucki was arrested and charged with her murder on May 13. He entered not guilty pleas to all charges last month.

A scheduling conference in the case has been set for Oct. 22.