Articles

March 13 2007 - Trial in beating-death case begins today

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Mar. 12--Prosecutors have spent the past several months trying to re-create the last days of 37-year-old Linda Begay's life.

The attorney for her boyfriend, Christopher Belone -- the man prosecutors accuse of beating Begay and causing her death -- says the state does not have enough evidence to put Belone at the scene.

After several hearings and arguments over potential evidence, Belone's trial will begin this morning in Douglas County District Judge Jack Murphy's courtroom.

Belone faces charges of second-degree murder, kidnapping and obstruction in connection with Begay's death. Prosecutors with the Douglas County District Attorney's Office allege Belone beat Begay in a fit of jealousy July 29 in the Gaslight Village mobile home park, 1900 W. 31st St.

She died days later at a hospital. According to police reports and testimony, Begay went to a friend's trailer where she drank alcohol, went to sleep and alleged she woke to Belone beating her and dragging her.

During a preliminary hearing, prosecutors played an audio interview of Begay, recorded before she died, in which she identified Belone as the person who beat her and described the incident.

Belone's attorney, Greg Robinson, has said her story could have changed after an original interview with officers, and he questioned her credibility based on her intoxication level.

In earlier hearings, Douglas County Coroner Erik Mitchell has testified that Begay died from peritonitis, an abdominal infection caused after blunt trauma to her stomach.

Also in the preliminary hearing, police detectives testified they found blood on Belone's clothing. Prosecutors said Kansas Bureau of Investigation test results confirmed the blood to be from Begay.

Murphy ruled that prosecutors will be able to introduce autopsy photos and a portion of a recording of comments Belone made to investigators.

He also has ruled both sides can present evidence of past abuse by both Begay and Belone.

The attorneys will begin selecting a jury at 9 a.m. today.

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Copyright (c) 2007, Journal-World, Lawrence, Kan.

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Business News.

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