Trial for man accused of killing 3 to begin in Florida

BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) - Trial is set to begin for a Florida man charged with the slayings of his wife, a neighbor and a local pastor.

Opening statements are scheduled Monday in Bradenton in the trial of Andres “Andy” Avalos Jr.

The Bradenton Herald reports (https://bit.ly/2qe0vcI) Avalos is charged with three counts of first-degree murder in the Dec. 4, 2014, deaths of his wife Amber Avalos, neighbor Denise Potter and the Rev. James “Tripp” Battle III.

If he is convicted, the state will seek the death penalty.

The defense doesn’t intend to argue that Avalos didn’t commit the killings but was legally insane at the time. Police say Avalos gave detectives a detailed confession.

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Information from: The Bradenton (Fla.) Herald , https://www.bradenton.com