Live: Day 2 of Michelle Martinko murder trial for suspect Jerry Burns

Feb. 13, 2020 8:45 am, Updated: Feb. 13, 2020 11:52 am

The trial continues Thursday for Jerry Burns, charged with first-degree murder in the fatal stabbing of Michelle Martinko on Dec. 19, 1979. Police found the 18-year-old's body in her parents' Buick parked at Westdale Mall in Cedar Rapids.

Opening statements followed by witnesses testimony for the prosecution began Wednesday in Burns' trial in Scott County. Follow reporter Trish Mehaffey's live coverage from the courtroom. She'll provide updates in the chat below, where you also can ask questions and post comments (your posts are being moderated by Trish, so they may not appear immediately, but she will receive them).

• MORE ABOUT THE CASE: Key moments in the Michelle Martinko cold case investigation

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Michelle Martinko's black dress she was wearing night she was killed. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Defendant Jerry Burns listens to witness testimony as a map of West Dale Mall in 1979 is presented during trial at the Scott County Courthouse in Davenport on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020. (Andy Abeyta/The Gazette)

Jerry Burns enters the courtroom during a hearing for at the Linn County Courthouse in Cedar Rapids on Jan. 16, 2020. Burns is charged in the 1979 slaying of Michelle Martinko. (Rebecca F. Miller/The Gazette)

Witness Jane Hansen, CPA and realtor in Plano, Texas, looks over photos of Michelle Martinko as evidence is presented at the Scott County Courthouse in Davenport on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020. (Andy Abeyta/The Gazette)