FRANKLYWNOW - Opening Arguments in the Trial of Nigel Saunders

Jurors hear opening arguments and testimony in the trial of Nigel Saunders.

The 26-year-old is charged with 2nd degree murder for his alleged involvement with the November 2013 death of Jordan Dordell and the beating of Dordell's fiance who was 6 months pregnant at the time.

Co-defendant Julian Talamantez has already pleaded guilty to murder and attempted murder in relation to the incident.
our Beth Russo has more on today's court proceedings.

District Attorney Gerald Mollen opened with a graphically detailed description of Jordan Dordell and his fiance being dragged to the basement of their Mygatt Street home where Mollen says Julian Talamantez beat and killed Dordell and raped his fiancé. This while Nigel Saunders was robbing the home. The prosecution also described how Dordell and his fiance were doused with lighter fluid and the home was lit on fire.
According to Mollen, it was something that happened during that time which left Saunders with hostility toward the couple.

The defense maintains that Saunders is innocent, saying that there is no way Dordell's fiance was capable of identifying Saunders during such a traumatic incident.

The defense also argues that no traces of Saunders DNA was found in the home after the murder.

Residents of Mygatt street testified today that they saw a woman walking down the street half naked and covered in blood screaming for help on the morning of November 3rd 2013.

Binghamton police officer Colleen Weaver who responded to the Mygatt street scene testified that she spoke with Dordell's fiance at the scene who immediately identified Saunders as one of the two assailants.

Testimony will continue Thursday morning at 10 am.