Calgary's Gregory Houle on trial for spouse's death

The trial for a Calgary man accused of killing his common-law wife is now underway.

Gregory Sanders Houle is charged with manslaughter in the 2011 death of Cherry Ledesma.

Ledesma's body had already started to decompose when it was discovered in the basement under a pile of laundry.

At the time, police said they had visited the home where the couple lived 37 times in the year leading up to her death.

"This is a story the courts hear all too often ... addictions issues combined withdomestic strife," said Crown lawyerMarlo McGregorMonday.

The trial is expected to last about a week.