SAN DIEGO -- Jury deliberations began Thursday in the trial of a former Santee man accused of murdering his estranged wife and dumping her body in an unknown location.

James Dailey (pictured, right), 35, is charged in the death of Guadalupe "Lupe" Dailey, whose body has never been found. She was last seen the night of Aug. 31, 1997.

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Hear Prosecution Closing Arguments

Deputy District Attorney Dan Goldstein (pictured, left) told jurors in his closing argument that the defendant told 10 to 15 people in the two months before his wife disappeared that he was going to kill her.

Dailey told authorities that he drove to Mission Bay and put his boat in the water so he could "cool off." But investigators checked and found the boat inoperable, Goldstein told the jury.

Dailey told authorities he drove to Mission Bay and put his boat in the water so he could "cool off." But investigators checked and found the boat inoperable, Goldstein told the jury.

Defense attorney Michael Begovich argued that the absence of a body, a confession, DNA evidence and any direct evidence meant his client was innocent.

The attorney said the statements Dailey made to co-workers at Viejas Casino about wanting to kill his wife amounted to just "venting."

Begovich said Dailey spoke about his wife in anger because of money issues and the fact that he didn't like her being with other men in front of their two children.

The attorney said there was no evidence that Dailey acted on any of his verbal threats.

"Mouthing off does not equal murder," Begovich said. "We don't convict people like that."

Dailey, who moved to Indiana with his children several months after his wife's disappearance, faces 15 years to life in prison if convicted.