Fresno grandfather vs. grandfather murder trial begins

FRESNO, California (KFSN) -- A Fresno grandfather teared up Thursday when he was called a murderer during his trial for the death of his fellow grandfather.

60-year-old Souren Avetisian was the victim, shot twice while babysitting three grandchildren in September 2008.

Nerses Taschayan has been in the Fresno County jail for almost six years now, and when he talks on the phone, it's recorded.

In one conversation, he told his son-in-law "something very, very bad happened" and gave some details that could lead to a conviction.

A trail of blood droplets led police from the home where they found Avetisian's body to the home of his fellow grandfather, Nerses Taschayan. Taschayan wasn't home, but police got a search warrant to look for evidence.

Months later, after Taschayan was in jail, prosecutors say he explained to his daughter and son-in-law why he wasn't there when police arrived.

"Well, we thought we should go so that nobody would see that it was us," said prosecutor Robert Mangano, describing a recorded jailhouse conversation.

Investigators found a 9mm gun in the house, but not the murder weapon, which they determined was a .380. They did find ammunition for a .380 as well as the 9mm, and again, prosecutors say Taschayan explained why the murder weapon was missing.

"The defendant's son-in-law, who you'll hear from (Friday), asks the defendant 'What did you do with the weapon?'" Mangano said. "The defendant's answer: 'I threw it away. I don't know where I threw it.'"

Taschayan's defense attorney said very little about the case in his opening arguments lasting just sixty seconds.

"The big issue is 'What does that mean as far as the intent of Mr. Taschayan?'" John Missirlian said to the jury. "'What was the intent?'"

He did reveal pieces of his defense while questioning witnesses, though. Missirlian asked one about signs of a struggle, and another about whether Taschayan was drunk that night.

In his first trial, Taschayan's previous attorney, Jim Lambe, claimed he blacked out from heavy drinking.

Taschayan's first trial ended with a hung jury, with a single holdout insisting he was not guilty. This trial is expected to last about a week, so there could be a verdict as soon as next week.