BENNINGTON, Vt. (AP) – Stephen Bolesky, the former high school teacher from Shaftsbury awaiting trial on charges he shot his wife to death last year, has died of cancer.

Bolesky, 62, died Monday at a Bennington nursing home.

Bolesky was released from prison last month after prosecutors and defense attorneys told a judge he didn’t have long to live.

Bolesky had been facing first degree murder charges for shooting Constance Oxley in the back of the head while she lay in bed in their Shaftsbury home last July 10.

Police said that Bolesky called 911 after his wife was shot. Bolesky said he had no memory of the shooting.

Bolesky underwent surgery for a brain tumor in January 2006.

Assistant Attorney General David Tartter said the charges against Bolesky would be dropped.