Trial for suspect accused of killing Salisbury man begins Monday

The trial is underway for the man accused of killing an elderly Salisbury man during a violent home invasion.

Paul Tatem has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges including first and second degree murder. In April of last year, Tatum allegedly broke into 72-year-old Donald Mariner’s home on Pemberton Drive and beat both Mariner and his roommate.

In court Monday morning, 12 jurors and 3 alternates were chosen.

During opening statements, the prosecution said Tatem told his girlfriend intimate details about the crime that only the killer would know. They also said Tatem’s DNA was found at the scene.

Tatem’s lawyers, in their opening statements, said his girlfriend is lying and that she has motive to frame him. They backed those remarks up saying they have video evidence that Tatem was going about his business near the time of the crime.

Seven witnesses took the stand today. six were investigators and emergency responders, who described the scene of the crime.

The seventh witness was Mariner’s daughter. However, her testimony was cut short Monday, when the court adjourned early because a juror felt ill.

Testimony is expected to continue on Tuesday.