The man accused of murdering his wife and dismembering her body before dumping it off the airtight bridge in Coles County, is pleading not guilty.
Officials say 70-year-old Thomas Small is being charged with murder and concealing a homicide.
Small is accused of murdering his wife Diane Small inside their home in Bradley back in 1980.
Authorities believe Small hid his wife's body in the attic for two days before bringing it to Coles County where he tossed it into the Embarras River.