FILE - In this Oct. 18, 2016, file photo, images of slain Palm Springs, Calif., police officers Jose "Gil" Vega and Lesley Zerebny are displayed on a screen at the Palm Springs Convention Center during funeral services in Palm Springs, Calif. Opening statements are underway Wednesday, April 17, 2019, in the trial of John Hernandez Felix, accused of shooting and killing the two Southern California police officers in an ambush-style attack more than two years ago. (Mindy Schauer/The Orange County Register via AP, File)

INDIO, Calif. - The Latest on the trial of a man charged with killing two Southern California police officers in an ambush-style attack in 2016 (all times local):

12:05 p.m.

The attorney for a man charged with killing two Southern California police officers in an ambush-style attack says his client has low intelligence and was on drugs at the time.

The Desert Sun reports that attorney John Dolan told jurors in opening statements Wednesday that they need to consider intent when deciding whether to find 28-year-old John Hernandez Felix guilty.

Earlier when prosecutor Manny Bustamante addressed jurors, some cried as he held up the AR-15 rifle used to kill the officers and described the injuries they suffered. He says Felix, an admitted gang member, targeted the officers simply because they were police.

Palm Springs Officers Lesley Zerebny and Jose "Gil" Vega were killed while responding to a domestic violence call in 2016. Prosecutors say Felix was wearing body armour when he opened fire with the AR-15.

Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.

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11:15 a.m.

Jurors cried during opening statements in the trial of a man charged with killing two Southern California police officers in an ambush-style attack.

The Desert Sun reports that some jurors began crying Wednesday when prosecutor Manny Bustamante held up the AR-15 rifle used to kill the officers and described the injuries they suffered.

Bustamante told jurors that admitted gang member John Hernandez Felix targeted the officers simply because they were police.

The 28-year-old Felix has pleaded not guilty to murder. His defence attorney also is set to make an opening statement Wednesday.

Palm Springs Officers Lesley Zerebny and Jose "Gil" Vega were killed while responding to a domestic violence call in 2016. Prosecutors say Felix was wearing body armour when he opened fire with the AR-15.

Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.

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12:01 a.m.

Trial is set to begin for a man accused of killing two Southern California police officers in an ambush-style attack more than two years ago.

Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for John Hernandez Felix, who has pleaded not guilty to murder. Opening statements are scheduled for Wednesday.

His attorneys contended the 28-year-old is too intellectually disabled to face capital punishment, but the judge disagreed.

Palm Springs Officers Lesley Zerebny and Jose "Gil" Vega were killed in 2016 while responding to a call about domestic violence. Prosecutors say Felix was wearing body armour when he opened fire on the officers with an AR-15 rifle.

Vega was a 35-year veteran months away from retirement when he was killed.

Zerebny was a rookie officer just back from maternity leave.

News from © The Associated Press, 2019