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'Prior Bad Acts' Filing Considered In High Country Murder Case

BRECKENRIDGE, Colo. (CBS4) - Prosecutors believe a man accused of murdering his wife and dumping her body in the Blue River may have plenty of skeletons in his past.

They were set to ask a judge Thursday to allow them to use the evidence -- a "prior bad acts" filing -- at the trial of Dale Bruner. The hearing began in the morning.

Prosecutors say bruner strangled his wife Stephanie Roller-Bruner in November 2010 and left her unconscious but alive in the river, where she died.

Rescue crews searched for three days before finding her body.

The case has been sealed from the start, and even Thursday the media were kicked out of the courtroom shortly after the hearing got under way.

The hearing on Thursday included discussion about potential violations of Bruner's Fourth and Fifth Amendment rights.

There's speculation that something in Bruner's past could be relevant evidence in this case, but so far it's not clear what that is.

Bruner is charged with second degree murder, two counts of assault and three counts of tampering with evidence.

Investigators believe after he left his wife in the river he also destroyed her computer and cellphone.

Roller-Bruner was the mother of three children. Right now the three children are living in California with her brother.

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