Murder trial begins for Lancaster man accused of stabbing wife

Jurors are hearing the murder case of a Lancaster husband accused of repeatedly stabbing his wife to death in 2013.

John Ghent Jr., 56, was arrested in October 2013 after Elaine Ghent, 54, was found dead in their home. Ghent himself was injured, but police said at the time his injuries came from a dispute between John Ghent and family members who found Elaine Ghent dead.

Ghent allegedly called family members and told them he “did what he had to do,” according to information released in 2014 by the S.C. Attorney General’s Office when Elaine Ghent was among all state victims of domestic violence remembered at a Columbia ceremony.

A jury was picked Monday and prosecutors and Ghent’s lawyer started with opening arguments. Testimony began Tuesday.

John Ghent faces 30 years to life if convicted of murder.

This story was originally published March 15, 2016 at 10:50 AM with the headline "Murder trial begins for Lancaster man accused of stabbing wife."