A Bismarck man charged with murdering his wife has been scheduled for a five-day trial in December.

Russell F. Craig, 43, was charged on June 5 with murder for the fatal stabbing of his wife, Pamela Sue Johnson-Craig, 47.

Johnson-Craig was stabbed to death at her mobile home at 2406 E. Thayer Ave. on June 3.

Craig pleaded not guilty to the charge on Aug. 11.

According to court documents, Craig is slated to stand trial before a 12-member jury from Dec. 11 to Dec. 15. The state has 21 potential witnesses, documents said.

Burleigh County State's Attorney Richard Riha and Assistant State's Attorney Cynthia Feland will prosecute the case. Bismarck attorney Todd Schwarz has been appointed to represent Craig. South Central District Court Judge Bruce Romanick will preside over the trial.

If convicted, Craig could face up to life in prison for the Class AAfelony.

Bismarck police said Craig was the main suspect in the murder almost immediately. His vehicle was spotted in the parking lot of a Hazen motel, which was then surrounded by Hazen police and Mercer County sheriff's deputies.

After obtaining search warrants, the West Dakota SWAT team was sent to Hazen. Hazen police took Craig into custody before the team arrived. Craig was turned over to Bismarck police officers and placed under arrest on suspicion of murder.

South Central District Court Judge Robert Wefald ordered Craig held without bond on June 5. Craig has been in the custody of the Burleigh County Detention Center since his arrest.

Craig's murder trial will be the second murder trial in Burleigh County in 2006. Benjamin Newman, 60, was convicted Monday of murder, attempted murder, endangering by fire and violation of a domestic violence protection order for a May 29, 2005, fire at an apartment building at 306 Ryan Drive.

Germaine Lewis, 75, died in the fire, and Mary Lou Smetak, 58, was injured and hospitalized after it. Gail Delorme, Newman's ex-girlfriend, lived in a basement apartment in the building, which was destroyed by the fire.

(Reach reporter Jenny Michael at 250-8225 or jenny.michael@;bismarcktribune.com)