John Paul Necaise is representing himself in his capital murder trial.
Necaise is accused in the robbery and fatal stabbing of retired Biloxi homebuilder Frank Roberts. Roberts was abducted Oct. 31, 2008. The 79-year-old man's body was found two days later in Gulfport, wrapped in a tarp.
Necaise told a jury this morning that the state can prove that Frank Roberts was killed. But, he said, they can't prove he was the one who committed the crime.
Assistant District Attorney George Huffman, in opening statements, said "The generosity of Mr. Frank Roberts ultimately led to the death of Frank Roberts."
Jerry Roberts, the victim's wife, was the first to testify and identified Necaise as the man who owed her husband money.
Circuit Judge John Gargiulo allowed jurors a recess after Mrs. Roberts' testimony to take their bags to the hotel where they will be sequested for the duration of the trial.
Read more about this story in Wednesday's Sun Herald.
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