GUNNISON, CO. (AP) - A businessman from Texas is due in a Colorado courtroom to face murder charges after he told police his dog killed his wife in Lake City four years ago.

Frederick Mueller of San Angelo, Texas, told authorities his wife Lorraine was near the edge of a cliff overlooking a gorge when a blue bird startled their dog.

Mueller told police the dog wrapped its leash around his wife's legs and pulled her off the ledge of the cliff.

According to KUSA-TV, a judge is expected to set a trial date Wednesday.

(Information in the following story is from: KUSA-TV, http://www.9news.com)

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)