Opening statements to begin in trial of man accused of killing Angels pitcher

Opening statements to begin in Adenhart case

SANTA ANA, Calif. — Testimony will soon be under way in the murder trial of a man accused of driving drunk in the crash that killed Angels rookie pitcher Nick Adenhart and two of his friends.

The Orange County district attorney’s office said Monday that opening statements in the second-degree murder case will begin at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday in Orange County Superior Court.

The 23-year-old Andrew Gallo has pleaded not guilty to three counts of second-degree murder and a count of felony hit-and-run.

The 22-year-old Adenhart died just hours after pitching six scoreless innings in his 2009 season debut with the Los Angeles Angels.

Also killed were 20-year-old Courtney Stewart and 25-year-old Henry Pearson.