The trial for the man accused of slaying an Eastern Michigan student will continue Tuesday.

DNA and other physical evidence shows that a young man raped and suffocated an Eastern Michigan University student, then stole her property from her dorm room, a prosecutor told jurors Monday at the start of the suspect's murder trial.

The December killing of Laura Dickinson, 22, of Hastings and a delay in informing the public about it led to the firing of university President John Fallon.

Orange Taylor III, 21, of Southfield is charged with an open count of murder, which gives the jury a choice of first- or second-degree murder. First-degree murder automatically brings a penalty of life in prison without parole, while second-degree murder carries up to life in prison.

Taylor also is charged with first-degree criminal sexual conduct.

"This case is every woman's worst nightmare," Washtenaw County Assistant Prosecutor Blaine Longsworth told jurors. "“The evidence will show that he sexually assaulted Laura Dickinson, ejaculated semen, and suffocated her by strangulation and smothering.”

Authorities say Dickinson was sleeping when Taylor entered her room the night of Dec. 13. They said he raped her and smothered her with a pillow. A surveillance video shows him leaving with some of her property.

Defense lawyer Alvin Keel acknowledged that his client's semen was on Dickinson's body, but denied it proved he raped and killed her. Keel said Taylor found Dickinson lying on the floor partially naked and, then ejaculated on her.

“He finds Laura Dickinson in a comprising position, nude from waste down on the floor. The testimony in this case and the evidence will show that he thought Dickinson was another intoxicated student laying on the dorm floor. As fate would have it, unfortunately, Mr. Taylor is inside of her room-- a 20 year old ejaculates. As a result, we find sperm on Laura Dickinson… The evidence will show there is no penetration, we have sperm-- ejaculation doesn’t equal penetration and it doesn’t necessarily equal asphyxiation.”

A custodian found her decomposed body on Dec. 15., after police said students reported a foul smell.

Fallon sued the university's board Thursday, saying officials violated his rights under Michigan's Whistleblower Protection Act when they fired him as president in July.