Murder trial begins for man accused of killing couple in Wilton Manors

Peter Asvenew faces death penalty if convicted

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Opening statements were made Friday in the murder trial of a South Florida man accused of killing two men in 2010 in Wilton Manors.

Peter Asvenew is charged with two counts first-degree murder, robbery and theft after he allegedly fatally shot Steven Adams and Kevin Powell -- a gay couple police said he met on Craigslist.  

Authorities said the couple was found murdered and wrapped in blankets inside their home the Dec. 26, 2010.

One of victim's sisters recounted her call from police, confirming her brother and his partner were dead.

"He told my husband, 'We found two deceased males at this address,'" Marci Craig said. 

Police said the couple's car had been stolen from their home.  

They said they eventually located Asvenew, who was seen driving the victims' SUV and using their credit cards.

Police said he also made chilling admissions to his mother.  

But despite all that, his attorney said while there is evidence of theft, his client isn't a killer. 

"Make no mistake about it, he was hired. He was hired as a prostitute, as an escort, whatever you want to call it.  Mr. Powell and Mr. Adams hired him to come into their lives," defense attorney Gabe Ermine said. "When he comes home where he was staying, and he sees these two people that brought him in and he sees that they are dead, he panicked.

"He was not living the lifestyle where he was going to pick up the phone and call the police, he was a survivor and he went into survivor mode; survivor mode."

Prosecutors said it's clear that Asvenew killed the couple during a robbery.

"He did it in the course of a robbery to take their credit cards and their belongings," Assistant State Attorney Shari Tate said. 

Asvenew faces the death penalty if he is convicted.