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Feb 13, 2008 11:00 am US/Pacific

Trial Begins In Murder Of CHP Officer Andy Stevens

WOODLAND (CBS/AP) ― Opening statements have begun in the trial of two men charged with murdering a California Highway Patrol officer.

Andy Stevens was shot in the face in 2005 after he pulled over a car in a traffic stop in rural Yolo County.

Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty against the 22-year-old shooter Brendt Volarvich. Both Volarich and Gerogry Zielesch have pleaded not guilty.

Volarvich's attorney has admitted that his client pulled the trigger, but he is still pleading not guilty due to his mental state.  Volarvich's attorney says that his client suffers from ADHD, and due to that condition he takes Ritalin which has lead to a severe meth addiction.  He also states that his client killed Stevens on impulse and that the crime was not pre-meditated.

Zielesch's attorney has also said that his client was a longtime drug user.  He also mentioned that Zielesch grew up in the country where he was inclined to carry a gun.  But, a misdemeanor of some sort prohibited his client to no longer be allowed to carry a weapon.

A third defendant in the case, Lindsey Montgomery was sentenced to eight months in a residential drug rehabilitation program and five years probation. 

Related Coverage:
Officer Andy Stevens' Memorial Service
The Casket Carrying Officer Andy Stevens Is Brought Into Church
Getting Ready For Officer Andy Stevens' Memorial
RAW VIDEO: Brendt Volarvich Arrives At Court Hearing Monday
RAW VIDEO: Gregory Zielesch Arrives At Court Hearing Monday
RAW VIDEO: Lindsey Johnson Arrives At Court Hearing Monday
Relatives Of Suspect Say 'Murder For Hire' Scheme Not True
Slain CHP Officer May Have Interrupted 'Murder For Hire'
Slain Police Officers Scour Murder Scene Looking For The Bullet
Young CHP Shooting Suspects Have Had Brushes With Police
Who Is Gregory Zielesch?
Father Of Suspect In Officer Shooting A Cop Who Went Bad
Gregory Zielisch Charged With Murder, Conspiracy To Commit Murder
New Details On Third Suspect In Officer Shooting
Neighbors React To The Death Of A Local Hero
A Witness To The Shooting Of Officer Stevens Talks To CBS 13 News
Third Arrest Made In Shooting Death Of Officer Stevens
Suspect In CHP Shooting Has Twisted Past
CHP Press Conference Announcing Arrest Of Shooting Suspect
CHP Officer Gunned Down, Suspect Arrested
An Arrest Has Been Made In The Killing Of A CHP Officer
Convoy Of Police Cars Accompanies The Body Of Fallen Officer
Memorial For Officer Stevens Grows Outside Woodland CHP Office
CBS 13 Team Coverage: CHP Officer Fatally Injured In Yolo County Shooting

(© 2008 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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