Nearly 2 years later, trial begins for man accused of murder

Nearly two years after the body of Traci Lynch was found on a rural property in P.E.I., the man accused in her deathis going on trial.

Joel Lawrence Clowhas pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder. The trial, by judge alonein P.E.I. Supreme Court, begins Monday and is slated to run three weeks.

The trial was supposed to have happened last June, but Clow's lawyer at the time suddenly stepped down on what was supposed to be the first day of that trial. The lawyer told court at that time Clow wasn't following his legal advice.

Halifax lawyer Joel Pink is now defending Clow. Crown attorney Cindy Wedge is leading the prosecution. Justice Wayne Cheverie, who was originally presiding over the case, has since retired. A new judge will take his place.

Clow is also charged with indecent interference with a human body. The remains of TraciLynch were found in a wooded area of a rural property in the community of Pleasant Grove onJuly 24, 2015 by investigators with Queens district RCMP.

Joel Clow has remained in custody since his arrest nearly two years ago.