The trial of a man accused of murdering his estranged wife is set to begin this morning.

Brian Engleton is charged with murder and violating an order of protection in the stabbing death of Deidre Engleton.

His estranged wife was found stabbed in the neck and chest, behind her salon on June 16, 2011.

A witness said he pulled up to the salon that morning, heard Deidre screaming, and saw Engleton run away with a bloody knife.

"It was exactly what the victim feared," said Engleton's mother.

More than a month before she died, Deidre said her estranged husband grabbed her, pointed a gun at her and raped her.

That led to a protective order, and Engleton being arrested on suspicion of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Deidre later filed for divorce.

Two weeks after that she was found dead.

Shortly after the stabbing, Diedre's mother Lorraine Anderson showed up at the salon, telling reporters her daughter's estranged husband had a history of abuse.

She said Deidre had done everything she could to protect herself, but in the end could not.

"She had called this morning and told me he had been calling her all night long," said Anderson.

Twenty-four hours later El Paso police found Brian Engleton hiding at a northeast El Paso motel and arrested him. 

The suspect had little to say to reporters as officer's led him away.

The victim's mother says she wishes her warning could have saved her daughter's life.

"He's been violent all this time." Said Anderson "I told her, I said you know this family violence stuff can get somebody killed," said Anderson

Engleton faces up to 99 years in prison and $10,000 in fines.

His trial starts today, at the El Paso county court house.

Tune in to KFOX14 News and KFOXTV.com for any updates on this developing story.