Trial Begins for Murder Suspect in Real Estate Agent Death

The trial of a man charged with murdering Yakima real estate broker Vern Holbrook started Thursday in Yakima County Superior Court.

Daniel Blizzard is accused of hiring two people to kill the 78-year-old Holbrook.

Blizzard stood before a jury for the first time Thursday, and the prosecution and defense presented their opening statements.

According to police, Blizzard and his former girlfriend, Jill Taylor, hired Luis Gomez-Mongez and Adriana Mendez to kill Holbrook for $10,000 after a deal to sell his real estate business to Blizzard went south. Now Taylor and Mendez have taken plea agreements to testify against Blizzard.

The trial is expected to last up to three weeks. The defense attorney has said that Daniel Blizzard will take the stand on his behalf.