After years of delays, trial of murder suspect underway

CHICAGO (AP) - After years of delays, the trial of a man accused in the death of a Chicago woman is underway in Cook County Circuit Court.

Reginald Potts is accused of killing 28-year-old Nailah Franklin in 2007. The woman's remains were found in a wooded area behind a vacant Calumet City store owned by Potts' brother-in-law. A medical examiner ruled she had been asphyxiated.

In his opening statement Wednesday, Assistant State's Attorney Fabio Valentini said the pharmaceutical sales representative was killed after she was last seen walking out of her condo building with Potts. He said Potts was stalking her for several days after she told friends about his criminal past.

Assistant public defender Michael Morrissey said investigators focused only on Potts after a "firestorm of media attention" was generated when Franklin went missing.

Potts' trial has been delayed because of his indecision on whether he wanted to represent himself.