Opening statements scheduled for Thursday in rape-murder plot trial of 2 men
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Opening statements are set to begin in the trial of a New Jersey man and a former Manhattan school librarian charged with conspiring to rape, torture and murder women and children.
The case stems from a prosecution that resulted in the conviction of a New York City police officer last year on cannibalism-related charges. A jury of eight women and four men were sworn in as jurors on Wednesday. Openings are to start Thursday morning.
Prosecutors say family members of 23-year-old defendant Michael Vanhise of Trenton, N.J., were described as targets in Internet chats Vanhise had with 61-year-old co-defendant Robert Christopher Asch.
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Defense lawyers say conversations in 2012 and 2013 were sexual fantasy chats never meant to harm anyone. The trial is expected to last up to three weeks.