Opening statements begin in Lee's capital murder trial

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - The first day of testimony has wrapped up in the capital murder trial of Michael Lee.

He's accused of killing 23-year-old Kyser Miree inside his midtown home in 2010.

On Monday we learned a few more details about the events of that terrible night, and in opening statements, the defense said the shooting was accidental.

Michael Lee sat quietly during the entire proceedings in a long sleeved-blue shirt.

The prosecution argues that Lee murdered Miree during a robbery, but in opening statements, the defense said the gun had accidentally discharged.

For its first witness, the state called Miree's roommate, Curtis Wright.

Wright said the night of April 16th, 2010, Kyser Miree was home alone and headed for bed. Miree was supposed to go to a fishing tournament with his dad the following day.

But when Wright arrived at home that night, he saw Miree lying in the living room in a pool of blood.

Wright thought Miree fell or had a seizure, and he took a picture of the scene.

That picture was shown in the courtroom and as you could imagine, it was difficult for Miree's mother to see it.

We also heard the 911 call from that night, and in the background, you can hear Miree's girlfriend, Sarah Wright, crying and yelling “Kyser! Kyser!”

A number of investigators who testified said there no fingerprints or DNA evidence that linked Lee or the other 3 suspects to the crime.

Bo Taylor, Earnest Wiggins, and Jamal Lang are also charged with capital murder.

The DA's office said the three accomplices told investigators that Lee was the shooter, and he used a .380 automatic weapon.

The state later heard from Michael Lee's girlfriend, Wanda Drinkard.

She said Lee told her it was an accident.

She said during the robbery, Lee hit Miree in the head to make him stop crying, but the gun accidentally discharged, killing him.

The trial will resume on Tuesday at 9 am.

We'll be following the trial every day as it goes along, and we'll be bringing you all the details on air and online.