Trial begins for man accused of shooting lesbian couple in 2012
The trial has begun of a man accused of shooting a teenage lesbian couple back in 2012.
David Malcom Strickland was captured back in 2014, in Helotes, Texas, after a two-year man hunt.
Olgin died following the attack, but Chapa, who was seriously injured, managed to survive, and was eventually able to recover.
Strickland was taken into custody without incident, after collaboration from several different police bodies.
Robert Almonte, US Marshal for the Western District of Texas, said at the time: “I am thrilled that the collaborative efforts of the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force, Texas Rangers, and Portland Police Department resulted in Strickland’s arrest.
“He’s a stone cold killer who thought he got away with murder, but will finally pay for his crime. My sympathies and condolences go to the victims and their families who had to endure this wicked act of violence.”
Strickland faces charges of capital murder, aggravated assault with a weapon and aggravated sexual assault.
In 2012, police claimed there was ‘no evidence’ that the attack on the couple had been motivated by their sexual orientation or their relationship, and the crime is not being treated as a hate crime.
But prosecutors are concerned of anti-gay bias on the jury, and that some jurors may not have expressed objections to gay relationships at the time of selection.
Strickland insists he is innocent.
His trial is expected to last two or three weeks, prosecutors have said.
