Accused's DNA found inside dead teen

Photo: Facebook

The jury has begun hearing the evidence in Neil Snelson's murder trial.

Snelson is charged with the 1993 murder of OUC student Jennifer Cusworth.

In the opening statement, the Crown says Snelson and Cusworth were at the same Ritcher Street party prior to her disappearance.

Cusworth’s body was later found face down in a ditch on  Swamp Road.

The Crown says that Cusworth had been strangled and struck with a blunt object in the back of the head.

Police recovered sperm from Cusworth’s body.

Police questioned Snelson on two occasions and both times he denied ever meeting or seeing Cusworth.

The Crown says it has DNA from Cusworth's body that matches Snelson.

The jury is made up of 12 people --  six men and six women.

The trial is set to last four weeks.

Castanet's Kelly Hayes reports.