NE Iowa Murder Trial For Death of Girl, Continues…

WEBSTER CITY, Iowa (AP) — Lawyers have delivered opening statements and testimony is underway in the trial of a man accused of killing his former girlfriend's 5-year-old daughter.

Prosecutors opened their case Tuesday against 35-year-old Casey Frederiksen, who is charged with first-degree murder and sexual assault. They allege Frederiksen sexually abused Evelyn Miller and stabbed her to death when watching her for her mother in July 2005. He was arrested in 2012.

During opening proceedings, prosecutors said Frederiksen had the opportunity and motive to kill the Floyd girl, as well as access to the Cedar River, where she was found a few days after she was reported missing.

Defense attorneys called for a mistrial based on the prosecution's statement, but the request was denied. The defense then opted not to give an opening argument.