Trial Begins For Man Accused Of Shooting Manchester, NH Police Officer

MANCHESTER, N.H. (CBS) — The trial is underway in the case of Myles Webster, the New Hampshire man accused of shooting Manchester Police Officer Dan Doherty in March.

Defense attorneys told jurors in opening arguments Tuesday that police rushed the investigation and arrested the wrong man.

"This is a case of mistaken identity," Caroline Smith said.

But prosecutors have lined up several witnesses who will identify Webster as the shooter.

The day began with jurors taken by bus to the crime scene, along with the defendant, the judge and the attorneys, to look at where the shooting took place in a westside Manchester neighborhood and the backyard pool where the suspect was caught.

Webster allegedly shot Doherty seven times while he was being chased by the officer.

But defense attorneys described a bungled investigation in which Webster's hands were not tested for gun residue and said that the physical evidence just isn't there.

Smith said there is no DNA or fingerprint evidence connecting Webster to the shooting.

The defense also said witness descriptions varied on basics like skin color, height and build.

Prosecutors said when Webster was caught he told police "you might as well kill me. I'm going away for life anyway."

"He can't run away from the consequences," said Jeff Strelzin, New Hampshire's Senior Assistant Attorney General.

Prosecutors played dramatic audio recordings from the Manchester Police Department in which officers can be heard trying to reach Doherty.

Doherty sat in court today watching the testimony.