NJ Man Charged With Frying Pan Murder Goes On Trial

FREEHOLD, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A trial has begun for a man accused of killing his wife with a frying pan.

Jurors heard opening statements and testimony Wednesday in the case against securities salesman Patrick Allen.

The 47-year-old Allen is charged with killing his wife, Kimberly, in their Middletown home in 2011.

A police officer who responded to the scene testified he saw Allen kneeling near his wife's body with the dented frying pan next to her. He said he later noticed scratches on the man's face.

Prosecutors say Allen had been hiding from his wife the fact that the family was hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt and their house was in danger of foreclosure.

The Asbury Park Press reports Allen's attorney told jurors Kimberly Allen was aware of the financial problems and the couple was working to solve them. The defense said Allen left the house following a dispute and returned to find her on the floor before calling 911.

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