FAYETTE COUNTY — Opening arguments were given Tuesday morning in the Fayette County murder trial of a 25-year-old St. Peter man, after a jury was selected Monday.

Alexander Beccue is accused of the August 11, 2017, shooting death of Joshua Smith, of Ramsey.

A motion last week by the defense will split the jury actions into two separate phases. This first phase, according to Fayette County State’s Attorney Joshua Morrison, will be to first decide the matter of guilt on the two first-degree murder charges against Beccue.

If the jury finds the defendant guilty, they will then be sent back to determine if the handgun enhancement applies in the case.

Morrison says a handgun enhancement would add 25-years to any sentence the judge would hand down if the jury finds Beccue guilty of first-degree murder, which is punishable by between 20 years to life in prison.

Morrison had earlier said he hoped opening arguments would be delivered Tuesday meaning the case could be handed to the jury as early as Friday.