By ROXANA HEGEMAN ~ Associated Press

A former Kansas lawman on trial for the death of his wife says she had mixed feelings about asking him for a divorce.

Brett Seacat testified Thursday at his first-degree murder trial about his work as a police instructor and former deputy. He talked about the day he was served with divorce papers.

And he recounted his last day working at a law enforcement academy before the April 2011 shooting death of his wife, 34-year-old Vashti Seacat.

Earlier, his attorney’s challenged the way authorities collected evidence.

Forensic consultant Gene Gietzen testified Thursday about traces of gasoline that the prosecution contends were found on the pants Seacat was wearing the day of the fire. He says the pants were put in a paper sack, which allows accelerants to escape and can cause cross contamination.

Seacat is also charged with aggravated arson and two counts of child endangerment for allegedly setting fire to the couple’s Kingman home. He and the couple’s two young sons escaped the fire.

Seacat contends his wife committed suicide.