The second murder trial of Miguel "Mikey" Vega got underway Thursday in New London Superior Court with testimony from city police officers who worked on the case.

Vega, 32, is accused of forcing entry into an apartment at 53 Prest St. on March 3, 2010, and opening fire.

The shooting left 21-year-old Rahmel Perry dead and Perry's friend, Michael Ellis Jr., with life-threatening gunshot wounds.

The state is trying for a second time to prove Vega is guilty of murder, felony murder, home invasion, first-degree burglary, attempted murder, attempted first-degree assault and carrying a pistol without a permit.

At Vega's first trial, in February 2015, a 12-member jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict.

Members of the victim's family and Vega's family are watching from opposite sides of the courtroom gallery as a new jury hears the evidence.

Vega, who has been held in lieu of $2 million since he was arrested in June 2011, is represented by defense attorney Robert F. Kappes. Attorney John E. Franckling had previously represented him.

State's Attorney Michael L. Regan is prosecuting the case, with assistance from Inspector Timothy Pitkin. Judge Barbara Bailey Jongbloed is presiding at the trial.

The state alleges that Vega had fought with the two victims earlier that night at the Galley, a downtown bar, because the two men were paying attention to the mother of Vega's child.

Witnesses told police there were two gunman at the Prest Street apartment, but a second gunman has never been identified or charged.

New London police identified Vega as a suspect immediately after the shooting, but he remained at large until he was arrested three months later by federal agents in Norcross, Ga. He was extradited to Connecticut a year later.

The prosecution began setting the scene Thursday with testimony from State Trooper Justin Clachrie, a former New London patrolman, city police Sgt. Russell Cavanaugh and Detective Richard Curcuro.

During Curcuro's testimony, the jury watched a seven-minute clip of a videotaped interview conducted by Curcuro and then Detective-Sgt. George Potts in a Georgia county jail.

Vega, who was personable during the interview, described getting "jumped" at the Galley but denied any involvement in the Prest Street shooting.

Vega said he was riding in a cab on Rosemary Street in New London when he received a phone call about the shooting, but Curcuro testified the police were unable to verify the claim.  

The trial is expected to last two to three weeks.

k.florin@theday.com

Twitter: @KFLORIN