A trial opened Wednesday for a man accused in four March burglaries in west Lawrence, including one in which it’s alleged he stole an Orange Bowl ring and Insight Bowl ring from the home of former Kansas University football players.

Douglas County prosecutors are asking jurors to convict Scott Blackmon, 25, of Overland Park, on 12 counts, and a co-defendant who has pleaded guilty in the case is expected to testify against him.

Assistant District Attorney Eve Kemple told jurors during opening statements that one man interrupted a March 16 burglary in his home in the 2400 block of Atchison Avenue and alleged he caught Blackmon in the act.

“He’ll tell you he saw the defendant standing there holding a computer and confronted him,” Kemple said. “The defendant threw the computer and ran.”

Police arrested Blackmon March 25 after another burglary occurred in the 2000 block of Heatherwood Drive. They also accuse him of burglarizing two other west Lawrence homes between March 3 and March 25.

Prosecutors alleged the crimes began when Blackmon stole $6,200 worth of items including laptop computers, video game systems and two bowl game rings from a residence of four former KU football players Jake Laptad, Justin Springer, Steven Foster and Drew Dudley in the 400 block of Trent Court. KU won the Orange Bowl Jan. 3, 2008, and the Insight Bowl Dec. 31, 2008.

Prosecutors are expected to present evidence alleging Blackmon took items from that burglary to a pawn shop.

Kemple also said co-defendant Meglin Rego, who has pleaded guilty to burglary and conspiracy, would testify and allege she drove Blackmon to the Heatherwood Drive residence to commit a burglary.

Blackmon’s defense attorney Michael Clarke during his opening statement told jurors that police had an “evolving investigation” and that Rego was getting a benefit in her sentence if she testified as part of a plea deal.

“Ultimately, it’s going to come down to Ms. Rego’s credibility,” Clarke said, “which is obviously suspect.”