The case of a Deferiet man accused of murdering a Watertown woman nearly 12 years ago is headed for trial the second week of September.

Michial E. Foster, 52, is accused of killing his former girlfriend, Alicia C. VanVranken Wasilewski, 30, in 1996. Her body lay undiscovered in a wooded area off Ives Street Road until Sept. 15.

A pre-trial conference was held in the matter Wednesday in Jefferson County Court. A trial date has been set for Sept. 8.

"There's no question that this case is going to trial," said Gary W. Miles, Foster's attorney.

Foster spent two years in prison on a weapon-possession conviction after police investigating Ms. Wasilewski's May 29, 1996, disappearance found a sawed-off shotgun on property he owned in the town of Adams. After her body was recovered, he was indicted in November on a second-degree murder charge.