HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Trial began on Wednesday for a man accused in the shooting death of a 9-year-old girl that happened more than three years ago.

Investigators say Arelene Alvarez was killed while on her way to get pizza with her family on Valentine's Day in 2022.

A jury was selected on Monday, and opening statements in the trial of Tony Earls, facing a manslaughter charge, began Wednesday morning.

On Feb. 14, 2022, Arlene was inside a pickup truck with her family, headed to dinner in the Gulfgate area, according to police.

Earls had reportedly just visited an ATM and said he was robbed. He says he fired a shot at a truck, which police say ended up killing Arlene.

Initially, a grand jury declined to file a charge, but in 2024, a murder charge was filed against Earls. That cha

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