The first witnesses took the stand today in the trial of a man accused of killing a North Carolina teen in Baltimore.
Michael Johnson is accused of killing 16-year-old Phylicia Barnes in December 2010. Today, Phylicia's sister took the stand.
Deena Barnes said she saw Johnson flirting and making passes at her sister six months before she was killed, WBAL-TV reported.
Jurors also watched a video that showed Phylicia and Johnson together. The video showed a drunk Phylicia with Johnson during a late night of streaking.
Deena Barnes testified that Johnson's sexual advances toward her sister happened the same night the video was taken. She said her relationship with Johnson deteriorated after the incident.
Deena Barnes also testified about a blue storage bin missing from her apartment. Prosecutors are trying to prove the bin was used to transport Phylicia after the murder. So far, the judge is not allowing prosecutors to bring a similar bin into the courtroom to prove a human could fit inside.
Prosecutors are planning to call a surprise witness, who is reportedly an acquaintance of Johnson. During opening statements, they told jurors he would testify that he saw Phylicia's body on the bed in an apartment where Johnson lived the day she disappeared.
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Phylicia went missing while she was visiting her family in December 2010. Her body was found in the Susquehanna River in Cecil County four months later. Johnson was arrested a year later and charged with murder.
The defense is arguing that no DNA evidence has ever linked Johnson to the murder.
