The murder trial for Leroy Charley Jr. began Tuesday in Belmont County. Charley listened as prosecutors talked of Charley's relationship with 42-year-old Sue Forbes. Prosecutors say Forbes and Charley were friends before he allegedly stabbed her to death in her Martins Ferry home in 2003. "It turns out before the end of the night, he became her killer," says Special Prosecutor Kevin Flanagin. Charley's attorney, Elgine McArdle, told the jurors what she expects they'll come to see in the days ahead. "What the evidence will show, each and every one of you, is that my client is not responsible for this death."

Prosecutor Kevin Flanagin says the night before Forbes was found dead, she went to a bar with a cousin and two friends, one being Leroy Charley. Sue's cousin also took the stand, describing what happened when she dropped Sue off at her home. She says she dropped her off, and Charley took Forbes inside. "I asked her if she needed any help, if she wanted me to get her into the house, and she was saying please tell him to leave," says Terri Gotschall. Both sides stressed that jurors pay close attention to forensic and DNA evidence in the coming days. The trial will resume Wednesday at 9:00 a.m.

Natalie Pasquarella, News9