Defense attorney Scott Green told jurors Monday morning Letalvis Cobbins was "a coward" who failed to stop the carjacking, rapes and murders of Channon Christian and Christopher Newsom in 2007.

"Cobbins is guilty of rape, make no bones about it. But he's not guilty of murder," Green said in his opening statement in the trial of Cobbins, the first of four suspects accused in the double murder.

The three other suspects charged in the couple's killings are Lemaricus Duvall Davidson (Cobbins' half brother), George Giovanni Thomas and Vanessa Coleman.

All four defendants could face the death penalty if they're convicted.

Before the prosecuting and defense attorneys presented their opening statements, the charges against Cobbins were read for 12 offenses.

Speaking for Cobbins, Green said the defendant pleaded guilty to lesser charges of rape and facilitation of kidnapping, but not guilty to the other charges.

Later, during his opening statement, Green said the guilty pleas were Cobbins' way of "manning up" to do what is right.

Assistant District Attorney Takisha Fitzgerald told the court that railroad tracks and a trash can were the final resting places for Channon and Chris. She said Cobbins was one of the people responsible for their brutal attack and murder, calling him "a liar, a thief, a rapist and a killer."

http://tinyurl.com/np26z9