After many delays, Torres is to stand trial in the death of a 47-year-old gas station attendant.
There were four people involved in a 2012 robbery-turned-homicide, authorities say, but only one gunman.
After many delays, the man accused of pulling the trigger, Andrew Torres, is to stand trial starting Tuesday in the death of a 47-year-old gas station attendant.
The trial is expected to be a lengthy one. Here's what to know as it begins.
1. What was the crime?
Torres, now 26, is accused of firing a shotgun blast into Kismathdas Kasam's right leg Jan. 5, 2012, after he and Zachary Flowers demanded money at gunpoint from the BP station attendant on South Main Street. The Phillipsburg resident died two days later.
Torres, Flowers, his sister Alexis Flowers, all of Allentown, and David Beagell, of Blakeslee, Pa., were arrested within a week. All were charged with felony murder, armed robbery and other counts. Torres had an additional murder charge as the alleged gunman and could face 30 years to life in prison if convicted.
According to police documents released following the arrests, Alexis Flowers -- she was Torres' girlfriend -- drove the four to the gas station. While she and Beagell stayed in the car, Torres and Zachary Flowers allegedly demanded money. Even though Kasam complied, Torres allegedly shot him in the leg with a shotgun.
The two grabbed about $500, ran away and were later picked up by the others, according to the affidavit.
2. Who will testify?
Alexis Flowers and Beagell are to take the stand as part of plea deals they accepted in 2012.
Zachary Flowers was also to testify, but said in court Friday that he would not. His guilty plea was retracted and his charges will go to a grand jury, according to Warren County Prosecutor Richard Burke. He does not expect Flowers' absence to impact the trial.
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There are more than two dozen potential witnesses, Burke said. Not all of them will necessarily be called.
Torres' attorney, Michael Priarone, did not say if he will call witnesses of his own.
"I think it will be evident at the conclusion of the state's case ... that Mr. Torres did not commit this crime," he said.
3. Why did it take 3-plus years to get to trial?
After his co-defendants took plea deals in 2012, Torres rejected one offered to him the following year.
Over a year's time, the two sides argued about what statements and evidence should be admissible. A trial date was eventually set for October 2014, but a routine reassignment of judges created a scheduling conflict.
The next planned start date of Jan. 5 this year was scrapped when Alexis Flowers got a new attorney and considered, but ultimately decided against, withdrawing her guilty plea. An April start was also abandoned when Priarone, the defense attorney, suffered a gall bladder affliction.
At this point, it appears Tuesday's start will go off as planned. Judges were again reassigned, but it was determined Judge Robert Reed will hear the proceeding through before being moved.
4. How long will the trial last?
Because of the number of potential witnesses, the prosecution has estimated the trial could last four to five weeks.
Jury selection will begin Tuesday and is expected to take two or three days.
The trial will go three days a week, allowing the court to proceed with its regular schedule on Thursdays and Fridays.
Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @type2supernovak. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.