Man charged in Saginaw stabbing death will go to trial

Man accused of stabbing woman 54 times, dropping TV on her head; faces murder, torture charges

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Published On: Mar 22 2013 11:57:57 AM EDT   Updated On: Mar 22 2013 03:24:27 PM EDT
SAGINAW, Mich. -

A man authorities say killed a woman by stabbing her 54 times and dropping a TV on her head is on trial for murder and torture.

The trial of 21-year-old Lashon Hollman began this week in Saginaw County Circuit Court.

He's charged in the slaying of 27-year-old Cassandra Nelson, whose body was found Feb. 2, 2012, in a Saginaw home. MLive.com reports a state police forensic scientist testified Hollman's DNA was found on a bread knife and beer can.

Defense lawyer Matthew Frey said his opening statement there are "some unexplainable details that don't make sense." He's urged jurors to reserve judgment on DNA until they've seen all the evidence.

The trial continues Friday. Charges include first-degree murder, which carries a mandatory punishment of life in prison without parole.

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