Central Park Trial

A Central Park murder trial is to begin Monday. The 16-year-old accused of killing and disemboweling a drinking buddy in Central Park last year says he is innocent. But prosecutors say Christopher Vasquez killed 44-year-old real estate agent Michael McMorrow in a jealous rage. Both sides will get a chance to present their cases to a jury as the trial begins today in Manhattan state Supreme Court. Vasquez has pleaded innocent to second-degree murder. Police say Vasquez and his girlfriend, Daphne Abdela, were drinking with McMorrow when the real estate agent was slain in Central Park the night of May 23rd, 1997. Abdela blames Vasquez and has told police he "went nuts" with jealousy after McMorrow put his arm around her. When Abdela pleaded guilty in March, she admitted to kicking McMorrow's legs from under him while Vasquez plunged his knife into the portly man's body. The alleged murder weapon and a pile of bloody clothes were recovered from Vasquez's home. Abdela was sentenced to ten years for first-degree manslaughter. Because Vasquez was 15 and a juvenile when he was arrested, he faces a maximum of nine years to life if convicted.