Jury trial begins for man accused of murdering 3, including a baby, in his home nearly 10 years ago

SALT LAKE CITY — After nearly ten years since his arrest, Alexander Hung Tran was brought into a Salt Lake City courtroom Tuesday to face charges in front of a jury.

Tran is accused of murdering Heike Poike, 50, her 2-month-old granddaughter, Lyrik Poike, and Dakota Smith, 28, in September 2015. Tran was 32 and living in the basement of the victims’ home at the time of the murders, which made national headlines at the time.

On Tuesday, the 10-person jury took their oaths. Both the prosecution and defense gave opening arguments.

As they watched, Tran was brought into court in a white shirt, tie and black suit. He submitted to handcuffs and ankle shackles when he was escorted in and out of the courtroom.

The prosecution began by calling its first witnesses, who included Ashley Nicole Poi