DURHAM, N.C. — Defense attorneys began presenting their case Tuesday in the trial of a man accused of killing his 89-year-old neighbor back in 2002.

Attorneys for Gregory Lee Jr. said gang members forced their client to be involved in the shooting death of Lois Cannady, who was shot to death while on the phone with 911 to report a break-in on June 6, 2002.

Prosecutors, however, argued during the trial that Lee led four other suspects to Cannady's house to steal her car.

Lee Jr., who was 18 years old at the time of Cannady's death, is the fourth of five suspects to be tried. Two other men pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and another was found guilty of first-degree murder.

If convicted, Lee faces a mandatory life sentence.