POLK COUNTY, Fla. — Opening statements got under way Tuesday afternoon in a Polk County murder case that has drawn national attention.
- Andre Warner accused of killing Adam Hilarie in 2016
- Hilarie had met Hailey Bustos on dating app, was killed the next morning
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Prosecutors say the victim was set up to be robbed and ultimately killed after using a dating app.
According to police, Adam Hilarie was just looking for love and it cost him his life in August 2016.
Andre Warner is accused of being the trigger man.
Authorities say Hilarie went on a date with 18-year-old Hailey Bustos after meeting her on the dating app Plenty of Fish. But early the next morning, she returned to Hilarie's apartment with three men, including warner, to rob him. And Warner ended up shooting Hilarie, according to proseuctors.
"He was forced to his knees at gunpoint by his assailants all while he was begging for his life for the sake of his 5-year-old daughter," said Prosecutor Kristie Ducharme.
The defense attempted to imply that Warner might not be the real killer and said that Bustos was finger-pointing to keep herself from a long sentence.
The prosecution is seeking the death penalty against Warner. The trial is expected to take another week and a half.
"She is hoping that by testifying against Mr. Warner she will avoid a life sentence," Defense Attorney Robert Norgard said of Bustos.
Hilarie's mother is not buying that idea.
"She always said she was involved but she always said it was Andre Warner that was the shooter," Anna Cruz said. "She never stopped saying he was the shooter."
Tuesday's testimony included the playing of a dramatic 911 call from the man who found the victim's body.
The prosecution is seeking the death penalty against Warner. The trial is expected to take another week and a half.