Trial Begins For Alleged Mayfair Tire Slasher
By Tony Hanson
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Trial opened today for a man accused of being the Mayfair tire slasher, who destroyed scores of tires over a couple of months in 2012.
Defendant David Toledo had claimed to be a victim, repeatedly granting interviews about the crimes and the impact on his family and the community (see related story).
But authorities say it was trouble of his own doing (another related story).
Philadelphia prosecutor Lauren McHale told the jury in her opening statement that the evidence will prove that Toledo is responsible for slashing scores of tires, including his own, in a bid for attention and a spotlight for himself (another related story).
But defense attorney William J. Brennan told the jury that the lack of evidence is "overwhelming" and that there are no eyewitnesses to the crimes. He suggested that authorities were under pressure to make an arrest and they got the wrong man.
Brennan says Toledo has never been able to return to his Mayfair home because of death threats.
