GALLUP, N.M. (AP) Opening arguments are scheduled Thursday in the murder trial of the Farmington city manager's son, who is accused of beating a doctor to death with a pool cue and stashing his body in a wood pile. Prosecutors have described it as cold-blooded murder. Defense attorneys argue their client was protecting himself and was influenced by a rare behavioral disorder that can affect people who have been neglected, abused or orphaned as children.
John Mayes, who was adopted, faces first-degree murder, aggravated burglary, tampering with evidence and other charges in the June 2011 slaying of Dr. James Nordstrom.
According to arrest records, Mayes, who was 17 at the time, first told police he was running away from home when he saw the man's secluded house and broke in. He later said he beat the doctor after Nordstrom made advances at him.
