RALEIGH — The murder trial of Carlette Elizabeth Parker of Angier began Monday morning in a Wake County courtroom. Parker is charged in the death of Alice Covington in May, 1998.

Parker, in her mid-30s, was charged in Covington's kidnapping and murder. Parker allegedly became acquainted with Covington, 86, when Parker was a home health care worker for one or more acquaintances of Covington.

In court Monday morning, Assistant District Attorney Howard Cummings said he would create a "chronological road map" showing development of the crime, and also produced information about a prior conviction. Cummings said Parker has been convicted of stealing thousands of dollars from a Garner woman who had been in her care.

Cummings says parker's greed led her to kill Covington.

Defense attorney Spurgeon Fields asked jurors to keep an open mind, and discussed Parker's performance as a home health worker.

Police had suspected foul play after Covington was reported missing from Springmoor, an upscale retirement complex in Raleigh. Her body was subsequently found inside her 1993 Mercury Sable, which had been abandoned in a Morrisville field near Davis Drive and Koppers Road.