Opening Statements Begin In Trial Of Tulsa Man Charged In Deadly Fire

Opening statements started late Tuesday afternoon in the trial of a man accused in a deadly apartment fire in 2009.

01/09/2012 Related Story: Tulsan's Trial In Deadly 2009 Apartment Fire Begins This Week

Investigators believe a meth lab started the fire at the Royal Arms Apartments. Mark Roberts is accused of murder, arson and manufacturing drugs.

The 12 member jury was selected Tuesday and will begin to hear testimony involving Roberts.

Mark Roberts is charged with two counts of murder for the deaths of Maria Martinez and her friend, Armando Nunez.

He also facing first degree arson charges and manufacturing a controlled and dangerous substance in connection with fire at the Royal Arms Apartments on March 10, 2009.

The fire also injured apartment resident Nikki Cain. Friends said she suffered permanent brain damage from the smoke.

Family and friends of one of the victims say the waited three long years for this trial.

"three years of turmoil and today start the day that my family went get the justice we deserve," said Sheila Bradley.

Roberts was injured in the fire and spent almost two months in the hospital before he was formally charged.

The judge expects the trial to last the rest of this week and possibly into next week.