Jury selection in the case of 26-year-old Ramadan Abdullah took several weeks. Opening statements got underway Wednesday morning in front of Fresno County Judge Ralph Nunez.

Prosecutor Dennis Peterson delivered his nearly-hour long speech first. He described the events leading up to the death of Deputy Erik Telen. The deputy was shot multiple times in the head when he entered a Fresno County home. He and his partner were met with gunfire. Telen died almost instantly.

Defense attorney Pete Jones told the jurors he believes his client is insane, and should be found guilty of second degree murder. In the years, months and days prior to the deadly confrontation, Jones says Abdullah was becoming increasingly delusional. He believed he was Jesus at times and also had a fixation with witches and warlocks.

Abdullah's ability to aid in his own defense has been in question multiple times over the past six and a half years. This past summer, Abdullah was declared competant to stand trial, despite conflicting findings from mental health experts.