The trial of a man accused of killing an 10-year-old girl in 1993, began today in Dillon County.
Dillon Police charged Sam Harmon with murder, kidnapping and criminal sexual conduct in August of 2005, following an in-depth investigation.
Authorities say Harmon was first investigated in May of 1992, after his 10-year-old step-daughter, Shakeima Cabbagestalk, reported to authorities that Harmon had innapropriately touched her.
Social Services investigated the claims, but said that Cabbagestalk's story changed several times, and they were not able to find any evidence of abuse.
Harmon was never charged in that case.
Authorities say on July 22nd, 1993, Cabbagestalk went missing. Police say Harmon was the last person to see Cabbagestalk alive.
Fourth Circuit Deputy Solicitor Kernard Redmond said in a courtroom Monday, that Harmon talked to Cabbagestalk's uncle about disposing a body, just one week before her disappearance.
Redmond said in his opening statements, that Harmon had a motive to kill the young girl, because she made allegations of innapropriate conduct against Harmon.
Authorities never found Cabbagestalk's body, but the prosecution says it has many reasons to believe she was murdered.
Redmond said that included the fact, that the girl has never contacted her grandmother or brother, with whom she was very close.
The solicitor's office was initially pursuing the case against Harmon as a death penalty case, but later withdrew that motion.
They are now seeking a sentence of life in prison, if Harmon is convicted of the charges.
Authorities are also no longer pursuing the criminal sexual conduct charge.
The prosecution expects to continue presenting witnesses in its case, Tuesday morning.
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