The murder trial for 74-year-old William Barnes got under way with opening statements Monday morning. Barnes is charged in the death of Philadelphia police Officer Walter Barclay.
Barnes shot and paralyzed Barclay during a burglary on November 27, 1966, and served nearly 20 years for attempted murder.
After Barclay died in 2007 a medical examiner ruled that he succumbed to an infection caused by the 41-year-old gunshot wounds. That prompted prosecutors to charge Barnes with murder.
Before his arrest latest arrest, Barnes had lectured at Temple University about his criminal past and desire to turn his life around.
