Murder trial of man accused of killing elderly Royal Oak woman begins

ROYAL OAK, Mich. (WXYZ) - Opening statements in the murder trial of a man accused of killing an elderly Royal Oak woman -- got underway today.

Eight men and six women are hearing the case against Alan Wood.

The 49-year old and his lover -- Tonia Watson -- are accused of murdering Nancy Dailey in her own home for money to buy drugs.

The prosecution and the defense have different versions about what happened on November 20, 2011, but the outcome of what happened is the same.

The 80-year-old was murdered that day and two parole absconders were seen on video using her credit cards and then arrested in connection with her death.

Dailey died after her throat was slashed.

The prosecution says she was beaten and stomped on by Wood, after Wood and Watson allegedly went through her Royal Oak house, stealing whatever they wanted

Prosecutor says before leaving Dailey’s house Wood used a knife he had stolen in another robbery and stabbed Dailey in the neck to make sure she was dead. 

Watson has taken a plea and agreed to testify against wood.

The assistant prosecutor told the jurors that Wood and Watson needed money for drugs and had raked leaves for Dailey several days before the murder. They say that Dailey paid them even more money than they had asked for.

The prosecutor also says that hours after the murder Wood and Watson were seen on video at several locations trying to get money, using Dailey’s credit cards.