BLOG: Opening Statements Begin In Mr. Wings & Pizza Murder Case

Opening statements are to begin today in the November 2010 murder of Misael Abdias Flores, a patron at Mr. Wings & Pizza in Glen Burnie. Vincent Ethan Bunner is the first of four defendants to be tried in connection with the murder. It is anticipated that the trial will last up to three weeks.

The opening statements in a case of this magnitude are extremely important for both the State and the defense to explain their theory of the case to the jury. Through the jury selection process the judge and the parties will try and ensure that nobody selected to sit on the jury has formed any preconceived notions about the case. Thus, opening statements will allow the prosecutors and defense attorneys to try and frame the jurors thoughts about their respective cases.

Even though the Maryland court rules require certain types of evidence and other information to be provided to the opposing party prior to trial, opening statements can often provide the first opportunity to hear the prosecution or defense's theory of a case. It will be very interesting to hear what theories the State and defense intend to set forth as the case is presented to the jury over the next three weeks.