First day of trial in the case of slain British tourists

They had spent the night having dinner with Mr. Cooper's parents, then bar-hopping, and planned to take a taxi home, but are believed to have walked into the impoverished area.

It remains unclear how they came to be in the housing project, known as 'The Courts', and why they walked instead of taking a taxi.

Tyson, who lives in the area, was arrested a day after the killings.

The double murder was thought to have been a botched robbery - although the victims still had cash in their wallets, and a mobile phone and digital camera.

The jury panel of 12 people plus two alternates includes nine women and five men.

Contains video from Reuters