Trial begins for men accused of decapitating UK soldier

Dec. 2 (UPI) -- Michael Adebolajo, 28, and Michael Adebowale, 22, the two accused of murdering British soldier Lee Rigby in May, have denied the charges of murder, conspiracy to murder a police officer and attempted murder of a police officer as their trial began Friday in London's Old Bailey court.

Prosecutor Richard Whittam told the jury that the suspects used their car to knock Rigby unconscious, then carried Rigby to a sidewalk and finally dragged him to the middle of the street outside Woolwich Barracks in southeast London. They then attacked Rigby's motionless body with a meat cleaver, knives, and a revolver.

Whittam told the jury that Adebolajo "made a serious and almost successful attempt to decapitate him with multiple blows to his neck with the meat cleaver."

The jury was also shown cell phone footage taken by eyewitnesses.

In one video, Adebolajo speaks to the witnesses as he gestures with blood-stained hands "These soldiers go to our land, kill our people, so an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth... You will never be safe until you leave us alone." The prosecution alleges that Rigby was singled out for the attack because of his attire -- a "Help for Heroes" sweatshirt of a military charity, and his military backpack.

[CNN] [Daily Mail[