FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) - Prosecutors face a difficult task this week in trying the man accused of murdering a 51-year-old Fort Worth woman.

Glenda Gail Furch's body has never been found.

Tarrant County prosecutor Bob Gill said in a Fort Worth Star-Telegram story that this is the first no-body murder case he has ever tried.

41-year-old Rodney Owens is accused of killing Furch, a former neighbor. Police say she has not been seen since September 28, 2007, when she clocked out at midnight from her job at the General Motors plant in Arlington.

Police say Owens is linked to her disappearance by a thumbprint on some duct tape found in a trash bin outside Furch's apartment. Also found in the same trash bag were electrical and telephone cords tied in unusual knots, a towel, clothes and other items belonging to Furch.

Police say about a week after she disappeared, Furch's car was found burned at an abandoned car wash, about 1.4 miles from where another car was reported stolen. Owens wrecked that stolen car on Oct. 28, 2007, during a police chase. In the trunk, there was a backpack containing duct tape, a cut electrical cord, surgical
gloves, a gun and ammunition, police said.

Owens has pleaded not guilty. During jury selection Monday, defense attorney Mark Rosteet emphasized the state's burden of proving Owens' guilt. Rosteet did not immediately return a phone call from The Associated Press on Monday.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

AP-NY-10-07-08 0052EDT