A 32-year-old Marshfield man accused of fatally beating his girlfriend during an argument will be retried after it was ruled he had ineffective counsel during his first trial.
Eric Mayer is charged with the March 2009 death of Cynthia Tyler.
The criminal complaint says Mayer told investigators Tyler, 43, kicked him in the mouth and then he "smacked" her in the face, knocking her unconscious, after they got into an argument while driving home from a fish fry.
Mayer said when she wouldn't wake up, he called 911.
Mayer's trial is expected to begin in April.
He is free on a $50,000 cash bond.
