Christopher McDonald, 38, who is charged in the 2008 killing of 29-year-old Corinne Burns, has pleaded not guilty.
McDonald is charged with first degree murder and aggravated sexual assault.
The trial began Tuesday morning with instructions to the jury, an opening statement from the Crown and testimony from the first witness for the prosecution.
WARNING: Graphic details from this court case may disturb some readers.
In her opening statement Crown attorney Pamela Borghesan described the circumstances surrounding the discovery of Burns' body.
She told the court a student discovered the body, which was found naked and spread-eagle, on May 27, 2008 in Guelph's Norm Jary Park.
No clothes were found, but before the body was removed fly eggs and larvae were taken, which entomologists will later testify show she was dead by the afternoon of May 25, two days before the body was found.
Borghesan also said a pathologist will show that despite the presence of cocaine in Burns' system, she sustained blunt force injuries to her legs, back, face and head close to or at the time of death. There were also injuries consistent with dragging.
In addition, Borghesan told the court semen was found on the body and that tests determined it belonged to the accused, a 1 in 130 billion chance
The accused had been living with his girlfriend in Guelph around the time of the incident, but had been kicked out the night of May 23, 2008, just days before Burns' body was discovered.
He turned to his then boss for help and while staying with him, showed up intoxicated, with blood on him and a bra in his pocket.
Borghesan told the court McDonald then claimed he had gotten into a fight at a bar helping out a woman, who thanked him by giving him the bra.
Months after Burns' body was found, McDonald was questioned by police and shown her photo, at which point he admitted to having sex with her.
A year later McDonald was arrested in Barrie on allegations of a vicious sexual assault on a prostitute. He eventually pleaded guilty in the case and was convicted.
