Jury trial begins for Topeka man accused of robbing Lawrence convenience store

Jurors began hearing evidence Tuesday afternoon during a trial for a 22-year-old Topeka man accused of robbing a Lawrence convenience store in August 2009.

Attorneys gave opening arguments Tuesday afternoon in the trial of Sedryck E. Welch, who authorities accuse of using a shotgun to rob a clerk at Conoco, 2447 W. Sixth St. on Aug. 3, 2009. Police had released store surveillance photos of a man with a gun that night.

After months of investigation, police arrested Welch, and he was charged with aggravated robbery in April 2010.

But defense attorney Sarah Swain questioned how Welch was identified as a suspect.

The trial is scheduled to last four days in District Judge Michael Malone’s courtroom.