NEWARK, N.J. — A jury is scheduled to hear opening statements in the New Jersey trial of one of six men charged in the brutal slayings of three college-bound friends in 2007.

Alexander Alfaro was 16 at the time of the murders, which focused attention on Newark and shocked New Jersey’s largest city into taking steps to handle its crime problem.

Dashon Harvey, Terrance Aeriel and Iofemi (eye-OH’-feh-mee) Hightower were enrolled or planning to enroll at Delaware State University. The Associated Press isn’t identifying a fourth victim because of sexual assault charges against other defendants.

Prosecutors contend Alfaro attacked at least two of the victims with a machete.

One defendant has pleaded guilty and one has been convicted. Both received multiple life terms.