Opening statements begin in officer slaying trial

DETROIT – A prosecutor says Detroit police officer Brian Huff never had a chance when he was shot to death at a suspected drug house on the city's east side because his assailant was waiting inside in the dark when Huff kicked in the door.

Assistant Wayne County Prosecutor Thomas Trzcinski (Truh-zihn-SKEE) described the scene Wednesday during opening arguments in Jason Gibson's trial.

Gibson is charged with first-degree murder and assault in the May 3, 2010 gun battle with police.

Four other officers were shot or injured, but later recovered.

Trzcinski says officers were responding to a burglary report. Huff was shot twice in the face. One slug severed his spine.

Gibson was shot while trying to flee the house. Police say a .45-caliber handgun and a pound of marijuana were recovered.