HASTINGS — An Apple Valley man accused of strangling his pregnant wife will stand trial this fall.

Thirty-six-year-old Roger Holland was in Dakota County District Court Tuesday when his trial was set for Oct. 7. Prosecutors say Holland killed his wife at their townhome last March and then tried to make it look like she accidentally fell down some stairs.

Holland is charged with first-degree murder in the deaths of 37-year-old Margorie Holland and their unborn child. A criminal complaint says text messages show the couple was fighting about financial matters before Margorie Holland was found dead.

The victim’s family attended Tuesday’s hearing. Her former mother-in-law held a wooden angel in court.