Trevor Kloschinsky's trial begins in Alberta peace officer's death

A trial is underway for an Alberta man accused of first-degree murder in the death of a peace officer in 2012.

Trevor Kloschinsky has admitted to killing Rod Lazenby, but his lawyer will argue he was not criminally responsible at the time of the incident.

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Lazenby died of strangulation but also suffered 56 external injuries andsome internal ones as well, according to an agreed statement of facts.

Kloschinsky, 49, was renting a property near Priddis at the time of the incident and kept dozens of dogs in a Quonset.

CBC News haspreviously reported that Kloschinsky hid out on his property forseveral dayswaiting to confront the person he believed was stealing his dogs,according to details in a search warrant application.

A Calgarycourtroom heard Monday from the two police officers who were at the district office when Kloschinsky arrived.

He had driven Lazenby in the peace officer's own vehicle. One of the officers testified that he believed Lazenby, who was in the back of his truck, was already dead when the pair arrived.

According to Const. Brent Shorne's testimony, Kloschinsky told officers at the police station that he "had to take things into his own hands" because someone was after his dogs.

An RCMP investigator alsoplayedfor the courta four-hour videotaped interview with Kloschinsky just hours after he arrived at the police station.

The trial is set to last four days.