TRIAL OPENS IN S C MURDER S.S.

THE TRIAL HAS BEGUN FOR A FLORIDA MAN, WHO IS ACCUSED OF MURDERING A SANTA CRUZ MAN IN A LOCAL MOTEL. 33 YEAR-OLD DAMIEN SMITH IS CHARGED WITH KILLING 49 YEAR-OLD DON KOVAKOVICH. THE KILLING REPORTEDLY ENDED A 3-MONTH SPAN IN WHICH SMITH (WHO WAS UNEMPLOYED AND HOMELESS) STAYED WITH KOVAKOVICH (EXCHANGING SEX FOR DRUGS AND SHELTER). IF CONVICTED OF FIRST DEGREE MURDER, SMITH FACES A MINIMUM OF 25 YEARS TO LIFE IN PRISON.