Nicholas Jordan Butcher stood in front of a Halifax courtroom on Tuesday and pleaded not guilty to the second-degree murder of Kristin Johnston.
Johnston, 32, was found dead at her home on Oceanview Drive off Purcell’s Cove Road in March 2016.
READ MORE: Second-degree murder trial in Halifax yoga instructor’s death set to begin
Johnston was originally from Montreal and used to own the now-closed downtown yoga studio, Bikram Yoga.
Police have released very few details about the case, including how Johnston was killed.
Jury selection took place on Tuesday with nine women and seven men chosen to hear the case.
The Crown says they plan to call about 40 witnesses during the trial. Open arguments are anticipated to take place on Wednesday.