Child abuse trial begins

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – Opening statements are scheduled in the trial of a 20-year-old Oklahoma man accused of sexual misconduct with children at an orphanage in Kenya.

Matthew Lane Durham has pleaded not guilty to 17 charges, including aggravated sexual abuse and engaging in illicit sexual conduct in foreign places.

The first of 35 prosecution witnesses are to begin testifying once prosecution and defense attorneys give their opening statements Wednesday.

A 12-member jury was seated in the case on Tuesday.

Durham is accused of engaging in sex acts with the children between April and June 2014 while working as a volunteer at the Upendo Children’s Home in Nairobi, Kenya. He faces life in prison if convicted.