More than a year after a retrial was ordered in the case, the trial of two brothers accused of murdering Mario Miller got underway on Tuesday with the victim?s father, former cabinet minister Leslie Miller, taking the witness stand.

The Crown has alleged that Ryan and Ricardo Miller [also known as Tamar Lee] killed 28-year-old Mario Miller on June 22, 2002.

Miller was found stabbed to death in the vicinity of Super Value Food Store in Winton, just a stone?s throw away from his Winton Heights home.

Deputy Director of Public Prosecution Cheryl Grant-Bethell is leading the prosecution, with Senior Counsel Neil Brathwaite assisting her.

Attorneys Ramona Farquharson and Romauld Ferreira are representing Ryan and Ricardo respectively.

During his emotional testimony, the former Member of Parliament for Blue Hills told the court that the last time he saw his son was the night before his murder.

Mr. Miller said at the time his son was in good health and only complained of pain in his right toe.

He said the next time he saw his son was at the Rand Lab at the Princess Margaret Hospital.

"He had a lot of stab wounds," Mr. Miller said as his voice began to crack. "I identified him. I said, ?That?s my son.?"

According to reports, Mario suffered from 18 stab wounds about his body.

This was the scene that Detective James Colebrooke, a crime scene officer attempted to paint as he took the witness stand on Tuesday.

Mr. Colebrooke told the court that Miller was found in a multicoloured shirt and blue jeans with his slippers only three feet away from him.

He said there were stab wounds on his face, arms, neck, legs and back.

Mr. Colebrooke said he collected samples from the scene and also took 20 pictures of the victim?s body.

This evidence was turned over to the forensics lab, he said.

Prosecution also called Detective Darren Ellis, who is attached to the Elizabeth Estates Police Station.

Det. Ellis said that on the day of the murder, he and another officer found Mario?s green Infiniti Jeep in Eastern New Providence.

Mr. Ellis said the vehicle was found with what appeared to be bloodstains on the interior and exterior.

He said he took at least 14 swabbings from the vehicle.

The prosecution is expected to bring 38 witnesses to the stand.

The case is being heard before Supreme Court Justice Stephen Isaacs. It is expected to continue on Wednesday at 10am.

By Kendea Jones