New Charges in Executive’s Slaying

A former Exxon security adviser and his wife were in state court Monday to face additional charges in the death of Exxon executive Sidney J. Reso, who was kidnaped, shot and kept in a wooden box.

Arthur D. Seale pleaded not guilty in Superior Court to felony murder, conspiracy, kidnaping, extortion and other charges.

Irene J. Seale has agreed to plead guilty to a state kidnaping charge in exchange for testimony against her husband, provided a state law barring a wife from giving evidence against her husband is rewritten, prosecutors said.

Arthur Seale has already pleaded not guilty in federal court to kidnaping, extortion, conspiracy and other charges. His wife pleaded guilty in federal court to extortion and will testify against her husband. There is no federal ban on spouses testifying against each other.