McPherson trial begins:

The trial of a man accused of killing a teen in North Chicago hours after her younger sister attended a gun control speech by President Barack Obama kicked off with opening statements in Lake County court Wednesday. Jim McPherson, 23, of North Chicago, faces life in prison if a jury finds him guilty on three counts of first-degree murder in front of Lake County Judge George Strickland. Janay McFarlane, 18, was gunned down about 11:30 p.m., Feb 15, 2013, in the 1300 block of Jackson Avenue as she and two friends walked home from a convenience store, authorities said. McFarlane and McPherson exchanged words in the convenience store minutes before the shooting, authorities said. McPherson remains in Lake County jail in lieu of $3 million bond. Authorities said the shooting took place the same night McFarlane's sister sat on a stage at Hyde Park Academy where President Obama spoke of controlling gun violence.