ST. JOHNSBURY — A lawyer for a Vermont man charged with his wife in the killing of a popular St. Johnsbury teacher nearly a year ago said Thursday he will likely ask that the trial be moved out of Caledonia County because of publicity surrounding the case.

In court earlier, defense attorney Dan Maguire asked a judge for more time — until October — to prepare for trial in the case of Allen Prue, who is charged with his wife, Patricia, in the death of Melissa Jenkins, 33, last March.

If the judge grants the request, the defense would have until May to file a motion for a change of venue.

The Prues will be tried separately and have different lawyers. They are accused of luring Jenkins from her Danville home on March 25, 2012, beating and strangling her and dumping her body in the Connecticut River.

Allen Prue, 31, has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder. Patricia Prue, 34, has pleaded not guilty to an aggravated murder charge, accusing her of killing Jenkins during a sexual assault or attempted sexual assault.

Her lawyer, Marc Eagle, told the judge Thursday that he is on track but may find later he needs more time depending on the results of laboratory work on a laptop computer and hair samples.

The county prosecutor’s office says it does not know when the tests will be complete. The judge has already denied a motion to move Patricia Prue’s trial out of Caledonia County, saying the request was premature.