The man accused of stabbing to death a Sunset Beach man and then setting him and his apartment on fire in 1988 began opening statements Wednesday.
Paul Gentile Smith, 50, began trial for the murder of his long-time friend from high school Robert Haugen.
Smith is charged with felony special circumstances murder with torture and robbery, and a sentencing enhancement for the personal use of a deadly weapon.
He is also charged with felony conspiracy to commit aggravated assault, attempted aggravated assault and two counts of solicitation to commit aggravated assault in a separate case.